eae)
Nee
Penh ae Bs.
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY,
EDITED BY
PHIEIP LUTLEY SQLATER, M.A., Ph.D. F.E:s.,
SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
AND
HOWARD SAUNDERS, F.LS., F.Z.S.
-
VOR Vi 138s:
FIFTH SERIES.
Ibis avis robusta et multos vivit in annos.
LONDON:
GURNEY AND JACKSON, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW,
(Successors to J. VAN VOORST.)
1888.
ALERE ? FLAMMAM
PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
PREFACE.
Tue Editors have now the pleasure of presenting to
their brother-members of the British Ornithologists’
Union the concluding volume of the Fifth Series of
‘Tue Isis, being the thirtieth volume of the whole
work.
As was arranged at the Meeting of the Members
of the Union held in May last, the partnership
between the two present Editors is now dissolved
with mutual regret; and. Sixth Series will be
commenced in January next under the sole Editorship
of Sclater, who asks for a continuance of the aid
which has, hitherto, on all occasions been so liberally
accorded.
It is satisfactory to see, by the list which accom-
panies this Number, that out of the twenty original
Founders of the ‘Ornithologists’ Union’ in 1858, no
fewer than thirteen are still living, some of these
being still amongst the most active of its Members
and most frequent contributors to this Journal.
| Re ie S.
EES Ss
London, October Ist, 1888.
)e)
15
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION.
Date of
Election.
1881.
1888.
[An asterisk indicates an Original Member. }
Wittram Ranpat, Earl of Antrim; St. James's Palace,
London, 8.W.
. Freperick Cuartes Apiry ; Bodicote, Banbury.
. Orrver Vernon Artin; Bloxham, near Banbury, Oxon.
5. James Backnousp, Jun.; West Bank, York.
. VALENTINE Batt, F.R.S.; Science and Art Museum, Dublin.
. Hansury Barcnay, Colonel, F.Z.S.; Cross Oak, Great Berk-
hampstead, Herts.
. Hue G. Barcray ; Colney Hall, Norwich.
. Henry E. Barnus, Lieut.; Commissariat Department, India.
. Ricwarp Manutrre Barrineron, LL.B.; Fassaroe, Bray, co.
Wicklow.
. E. F. Becuer, Capt. R.A., F.Z.S.; care of Rev. W. Becher,
Willow, Newark-on-Trent.
. Frank E. Bepparp, Prosector to the Zoological Society ;
13 Castlebar Road, Ealing, London, W.
. Joun Bippuren, Colonel, Bengal Statf Corps, Deoli, India.
. Epwarp Browerz; | Trig Lane, Upper Thames Street, Lon-
don, E.C.
. C. T. Bryenam, Capt.; Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Rangoon.
. W. T. Buanrorp, F.R.S. &c. ; 72 Bedford Gardens, Kensing-
ton, London, W.
. Wrtr1aM Borrer, M.A., F.Z.S.; Cowfold, Horsham.
. Wom F. Brocxsores; Claughton-on-Brock, Garstang,
Lancashire.
. Sir Vicror Brooxs, Bart.; Colebrooke, Fermanagh, Ireland.
20
25
30
35
4o
vi
Date of
Election.
1868. Tuomas Epwarp Bucxtry, B.A., F.Z.S8.; Millerton, Inverness,
iN. B.
1872. Sir Watrer Lawry Butter, K.C.M.G., Sc.D., F.R.S., Xe. ;
52 Stanhope Gardens, Queen’s Gate, 5. W.
1884, E. A. Burtser, Lieut.-Col.; Herringfleet Hall, Lowestoft.
1884. Grorrrey Fowrrt Buxton; Sunny Hill, Thorpe, Norwich.
1888. Joun Duncan Cameron, late Capt. R.A. ; Lowwood, Bethers-
den, near Ashford, Kent.
1879. Tuomas Davin Grpson CarmicHanrt ; Castlecraig, Dolphinton,
N.B.
1888. James Carrer; Burton House, Masham, Yorkshire.
1888. Watrer Cuampertain; Harborne Hall, near Birmingham.
1884. Apri Caapman; 16 Roker Terrace, Sunderland.
1882. Roserr Wriri1am Caase; Southfield, Edgbaston Road, Bir-
mingham.
1880. Wriiiram Factz Crarks, F.L.S.; 18 Claremont Road, Head-
ingley, Leeds.
1876. Epwarp Henry Srvart, Lord Cuirron, F.Z.S.; Dumpton
Park, Ramsgate.
1880. E. H. Coopmr, Lieut.-Col.; 42 Portman Square, London.
1874. Joon CorpEaux; Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire.
1888. Wittram Witrrip Corpravux, Lieut. 2nd Dragoon Guards ;
Sialkote, Bengal, India.
1882. Coartes B. Cory; 8 Arlington Street, Boston, Mass.,
U.S.A.
1882. Puitre Crowtry, F.Z.S.; Waddon House, Croydon.
1877. J. J. Dateiersu ; 8 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh.
1874. Coaruses Danrorp, F.Z.8.; Conservative Club, St. James’,
London, 8.W.
1883. Jamus Davinson ; 32 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh.
1884. Winrtam Ruxron Davison; care of Edward Jones, 77 Queen
Street, Cheapside, E.C.
1883. Scrore b. Dora; Public Works Department, Bombay.
1880. Arruur Dowsrrr; Castle Hill House, Reading.
1865. Henry Ertes Dresser, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street,
Hanover Square, London, W., and Topclyffe Grange, Farn-
borough, Kent.
*Henry Mavrice Drummonp-Hay, C.M.Z.S., Lieut.-Col., Royal
Perth Rifles; Seggieden, Perth.
1878. W. Arrnur Durnrorp; Elsecar, Barnsley.
45
50
55
60
65
7°
vil
Date of
Election.
1876. Grorer Le C. Earrron, Commander R.N.; The Lodge, Stoke
Road, Gosport.
1870. Danret Giravp Extiotr, F.R.S.E., &e.; Fuller Buildings,
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
1884, AteErnon Exriorr, Assist. Comm., Amraoti Camp, Berar.
1866. Henry Joun Etweus, F.Z.8.; Preston, Cirencester.
1879. ArtHuR Humsie Evans, B.A.; 9 Harvey Road, Cambridge.
1888. Wintram Evans, F.R.S.E.; 184 Morningside Park, Edin-
burgh.
1873. H. W. Fritpen, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S., C.M.Z.S.; West House,
Wells, Norfolk.
1886. Haroxp Srvarr Frerevson, Lient. Nair Brigade ; Trevandrum,
Travancore.
1884. Henry Oce Forses, F.Z.S.; Rubislaw Den, Aberdeen.
1880. Wittram Foster; The Hill, Witley, Surrey.
1887. W. W. Fowter, M.A.; Lincoln College, Oxford.
1865. Rev. Henry Exxrorr Fox, M.A.; 12 South Bailey, Durham.
1881. Percy Evans Frexe; 9 Sydenham Road, Dundrum, co.
Dublin.
1881. Hans Gapow, Ph.D.; The New Museums, Cambridge.
1886. The Eart or Garnsporoven ; Exton Park, Oakham.
1885. Sir Ranrew Payne Gattwey, Bart. ; Thirkleby Park, Thirsk.
1879. Ernest Grsson ; 1 Eglinton Crescent, Edinburgh.
*Freperick DuCane Gopman, F.R.S., &c.; 10 Chandos Street,
Cavendish Square, London, W.
* Percy SANDEN Gopman, B.A., C.M.Z.S. ; Muntham, Horsham.
1874. H. H. Gopwin-Ausren, Lieut.-Col., F.R.S., &c.; Shalford
House, Guildford.
1884. J. G. Goopcnttp ; 28 Jermyn Ntreet, London, 8. W.
1886. Witr1am Grauam; Manor House, Crayford, Kent.
1878. Henry Grey, BengalStaffCorps; care of Messrs. Grindlay & Co.
1885. F. H. H. Guittemarp, M.D.; Eltham, Kent.
1876. Atsert C. L. G. Ginruer, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., &.; Keeper
of the Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural
History), London, 8. W.
*Joun Henry Gurney, F.Z:S.; Northrepps Hall, Norwich.
1870. Joun Henry Gurney, Jun., F.Z.S.; Keswick Hall, Norwich.
1887. Joan Preypett Witton Haines; The Lodge, Gloucester.
1886. Epvwarp Hamitron, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.8.; 49 Portugal Street,
Mayfair, London, W.
75
80
85
go
95
100
viil
Date of
Election.
1877.
1883.
Epwarp W. Harcovurr, M.P.; Nuneham Park, Abingdon.
Lewis Vernon Harcourt; Malwood, Lyndhurst, Hants.
1876. H. C. Harrorp, 99th Regiment; Stapleton Lodge, Chelsea
1877.
1868.
1873.
1868.
Road, Southsea.
E. Hararrr, F.Z.S.; Broadwater Lodge, Broadwater, Worthing.
James Epmunp Hartine, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; Linnean Society,
Burlington House, Piccadilly, W.
Joun A. Harvir-Brown, F.Z.8.; Dunipace House, Larbert,
N.B.
Rey. Hersert S. Hawkins, M.A.; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk.
1887. Cuarues T. Hesperr; 12 Hereford Gardens, London, W.
1884. 6. J. Hotpsworre; Oxenholme, Westmoreland.
1877.
1888.
1881.
1879.
1869.
1870.
1870.
1888.
1886.
E. W. H. Hortpswortn, F.Z.8.; 84 Clifton Hill, St. John’s
Wood, London, N.W.
Hersert Kyicur Horsrretp ; Oakfield Terrace, Headingley,
Leeds.
Rosert James Howarp; Blackburn, Lancashire.
*Witrrip Hupieston Hupxesron, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; Oat-
lands Park, Weybridge.
Baron A. von Hiern; Cambridge.
ALLAN Octavian Hume, C.B.; Simla, India.
Hepworrn Hytron-Jotiirre, Lord Hyrron; Merstham, Red
Hill, Surrey.
Leonard Howarp L. Irsy, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S.; Army and
Navy Club, Pall Mall, London, S.W.
Freperickx J. Jackson; 13 Westbourne Square, W.
Harry Berxetey James, F.Z.S.; 16 Ashburn Place, Crom-
well Road, London, 8.W.
. Henry Roserr Kernan, Capt. 74th Highlanders; Dagehai,
N.W. Provinces, India.
. Puri M. Kermone; Seabridge Cottage, Ramsey, Isle of Man.
. Rey. Epw. Ponsonsy Knustery, M.A.; Stavely Rectory, Leeds.
. Herperr Laneron; 115 Queen’s Road, Brighton.
. Hon. Grratp Lascrtius; Queen’s House, Lyndhurst.
. Grorce Lawson, C.B.; 36 Craven Hill Gardens, Hyde Park,
London, W.
1876. Vincent Luger, Col. R.A.; Commandant’s Office, Hobart
Town, Tasmania.
Hamown Ly Stranee, F.Z.8.; Hunstanton Hall, King’s Lynn,
Norfolk.
105
IIo
It5
120
1x
Date of
Election.
1875.
1886
Pacer Water Le Srranez, Col. R.A.; Glancothy, Nant-
garedig, R.S.O., Caermarthenshire.
Haroxp Lirrtepatr, B.A. &e.; Vice-Principal, The College,
Baroda.
*THomas Lyrrieton, Lord Litrorp, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.; Lilford
Hall, Oundle, and 6 Tenterden Street, London, W.
. Joun Hayns Luoyp, Major, F.Z.8.; 30 Pulteney Gardens, Bath.
7. J. Lumspen; Arden House, Alexandria, N.B.
. Rey. Hueu Atexanprer Macpuerson; 3 Kensington Gardens
Square, W.
. JoHN Wryerietp Matcorm ; 7 Stanhope Street, Maytair,
London, W.
. Henry Sracy Marks, R.A., F.Z.S.; 17 Hamilton Terrace,
St. John’s Wood, London, N.W.
. C. H. T. Marsnatz, Major, F.Z.8.; Secretary to H.H.
The Nizam, Hyderabad, Deccan.
. Jonn Marsuatt, F.L.S.; Belmont, Taunton.
. Rey. Murray A. Maruew, M.A., F.L.S.; Stone Hall, Wolf’s
Castle, R.S.O., Pembrokeshire.
. Epmunp Gustavus Brioomrretp Mrapr-Waupo; Rope Hill,
Lymington, Hants.
. Joun Guitte Mitrats, F.Z.8.; 2 Palace Gate, Kensington, W.
. Freperick SHaw Mircnert; Hornshaws, Clitheroe, Lanca-
shire.
. ALEXANDER GoopMANn Morg, F.L.S., &c.; 92 Leinster Road,
Rathmines, Dublin.
. Groree Morean, Lieut.-Col.; Biddlesden Park, Brackley.
. Georek Murrueap; Paxton, Berwick-on-Tweed.
. Epwarp Neate; 6 Tenterden Street, London, W.
. Tuomas Hupson Nutson; North Bondgate, Bishop Auckland,
Durham.
. Huew Nevitt; Newton Villa, Godalming.
. Francis D’Arcy Witt1am Crouen Newcome; Feltwell Hall,
Brandon, Suffolk.
*AtrreD Newton, M.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S.; Professor of Zoology
in the University of Cambridge.
*Sir Epwarp Newton, M.A., K.C.M.G., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. ;
Lowestoft.
1886. Howarp Hitt Joun Nicnotts, M.R.C.S.; The Moat, East-
bourne,
125
130
135
140
145
Date of
Election.
1876. Francis Nrcnorson, F.Z.8.; Oakfield, Ashley Rd., Altrincham.
1887. Grorcr Cameron Norman; Collingham House, Cromwell
Road, London, 8.W.
1882, Evernr Witt1aAm Oates; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover
Square, London, W.
*Sir Joun W. P. Camppett Orne, Bart., F.Z.S., late Captain,
42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment; Kilmory House,
Lochgilphead, Argyllshire, N.B.
1883. Henry Parker, C.E.; Irrigation Office, Ceylon.
1880. TxHomas Parkin, M.A., F.Z.8.; Halton, near Hastings.
1884. R. L. Parrerson, F.L.S.; Croft House, Holywood, co.
Down.
1886. E. Campriper Parties ; The Elms, Brecon.
1886. E. Lorr Putts ; 22 Bolton Street, Piccadilly, W.
1888. Grorce THorNE Putrtirs; Wokingham, Berkshire.
1883. Tuomas Mayer Prxr, M.A.; Westport, Wareham, Dorset.
1888. Mervyn Owen Wayne Powys; 33 Gt. Cumberland Place, W.
1880. Cuartes Marrarw Prior; Adstock Manor, Winslow,
Bucks.
1888. Evsrace Rapetyrre; Hyde, Wareham, Dorset.
1872. R. G. Warptaw Ramsay, Major; F.Z.8.; Coldham Hall,
Wisbech.
1879. Herzert Everyn Rawson, F.Z.8.; St. Stephen’s Club, S.W.
1888. Rosperr H. Reap; 8 Great George Street, Westminster, 8.W.
1877. Savite G. Rei, late Capt. R.E.; Ashridgewood, Wokingham.
1873. Sir Oxriver Breavcnamp Coventry Sr. Joun, Colonel R.E. ;
care of Messrs. H. 8. King & Co., 45 Pall Mall, London,
S.W.
1883. Witiram Herserr Sr. Quintin; Scampston Hall, Rillington,
Yorkshire.
*Ospert Satvin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.; 10 Chandos Street, Lon-
don, W., and Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere.
1870. Howarp Saunpers, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &c.; 7 Radnor Place,
Hyde Park, London, W.
*Puivip Luriey Scuarer, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &e.; Zoological
Society of London, 3 Hanover Square, London, W.
1881. J.-Scutty, F.L.S., F.Z.8S.; care of Messrs. H. S. King & Co.,
45 Pall Mall, London, 8.W.
1873. Henry Srrsonm, F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover
Square, W., and 22 Courtfield Gardens, London, 5.W.
|
150
155
160
165
170
Date of
Election.
1871.
1886.
1870.
1865.
1881.
1882.
1878.
1864.
1874.
1881.
1875.
1881.
1887.
1887.
1882.
1884.
xi
Ricwarp Bowpier Suarpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant,
Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History),
London, 8.W.
Witrram Carsrarrs SHaw; Bank of Madras, Ootacamund,
Nilgiris.
G. Ernest Sueey, F.Z.S., late Captain, Grenadier Guards;
6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W.
Rev. Coartes WitttamM SHEPHERD, M.A., F.Z.S.; Trotters-
cliffe Rectory, Maidstone, Kent.
F. B. Stason; Broom Hill, Spratton, Northampton.
Rev. Henry H. Starter, M.A., F.Z.8.; Irchester Vicarage,
Wellingboro’, Northampton.
GrorcE Montaw Sraveuter, Brigade-Surgeon ; Farningham,
Kent. ;
Rev. Atrrep CHartes Suitu, M.A.; Yatesbury Rectory,
Calne, Wiltshire.
Crcrt Suir, F.Z.8.; Lydeard House, Taunton, Somersetshire.
THomas SoutHwE.t, F.Z.S8.; 10 The Crescent, Chapel Field,
Norwich.
A. C. Srarx; The Cottage, Whiteparish, near Salisbury.
Rozert Wricut Sruppy, Lieut.-Col. 2nd Manchester Regi-
ment, India; care of E. W. H. Holdsworth, 84 Clifton
Hill, St. John’s Wood, London, N.W.
Freperick Witiram Styan; 23 Upper Bedford Place, Lon-
don, W.C., and Shanghai, China.
Joun SwinsurneE; Shona Ranch, St. John’s, Apache Country,
Arizona, U.S.A.
Cuartes Swinnoz, Col. Bombay Staff Corps, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ;
care of I. H. Wrentmore, 29 Bedford Row.
W. C. Tarr; Oporto.
*Epwarp Cavenpisu Taytor, M.A., F.Z.8.; 74 Jermyn Street,
1864.
1873.
1886.
London, 8.W.
Grorcr Cavenpiso Taytor, F.Z.8.; 42 Elvaston Place,
Queen’s Gate, London, S.W.
Wituiam Bernuarp Trerrmerer, F.Z.8.; Finchley, Mid-
dlesex.
Horace A. Terry, Lieut. 43rd Light Infantry; Burvale,
Walton-on-Thames.
*Rev. Henry Baxter Tristram, M.A., LL.D., F.RS., &e.,
Canon of Durham; The College, Durham,
xii
Date of
Election.
1864, Henry Morris Urcuer, F.Z.8.; Sheringham Hall, Norfolk,
and Feltwell Hall, Brandon.
1881. Wittovessy Verner, Capt. Rifle Brigade; Junior United
Service Club, 8. W.
1884. A. S. Vesry; 3 Campden Villas, Barnes, 8.W.
1886. H. D. Wape-Datron, Major Middlesex Regiment ; Buttevant,
Treland.
175 1881. THomas, Lord WatsineHam, F.Z.8.; Eaton House, Eaton
Square, London, 8.W., and Merton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.
1874. Coartes Byerave Wuarron, F.Z.8.; Hounsdown, Totton,
Hants.
1878. Henry THornton Wuarton, M.A., F.Z.8.; 39 St. George’s
Road, Abbey Road, London, N.W.
1884. Joseph Wuarraker, F.Z.8.; Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield, Notts.
1887. Jerrery Wutrenrap ; Southwood, Bickley, Kent.
180 1887. Scorr Barcnarp Witson; Heatherbank, Weybridge Heath,
Surrey.
1888. CHarxes Josepa Witson ; 16 Gordon Square, W.C.
1871. E. Percevat Wrieut, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.8., Professor of Botany
in the University of Dublin.
1875. Cuartus A. Wrieut, F.Z.8.; Kayhough House, Kew Gardens,
Kew.
1876. CraupE W. Wyatr; Adderbury, Banbury.
185 1878. Joun Youne, F.Z.8.; 64 Hereford Road, Bayswater, London,
W.
1877. J. H. Yur, Major, Devon Regiment; 41 Eaton Rise, Ealing.
Extra-Ordinary Member.
1860, Atrrep Russet Wattacz, F.Z.8.; Nutwood Cottage, Frith
Hill, Godalming.
Honorary Members.
1886. Tuomas Ayres; Potchefstroom, Transvaal.
1860. Doctor Epvarp Barpamus, Moritzwinger, No. 7, Halle.
1860. Doctor Juan Canants, Erster Custos am koniglichen Museum
der Friedrich-Wilhelm’s Universitit zu Berlin.
1870. Doctor Orro Fiyscu, Bremen,
5 1880. Hernricu Garxe, C.M.Z.8., Secretary to the Government of
Heligoland.
xiil
Date of
Election.
1860. Doctor Gustav Harrtavus, Bremen.
1860. Epvear Leopotp Layarp, C.M.G., F.Z.S., H.B.M. Consul, ew
Caledonia.
1869. Aveusr von Prtzetn, Custos am k.-k. zoologischen Cabinete
in Wien.
Foreign Members.
1872. Prof. J. V. Barpoza pu Bocaén, Royal Museum, Lisbon.
1875. Hans, Graf von Brruersca, Minden, Hannover.
1880. Lovis Burrav, M.D., Ecole de médecine, Nantes.
1873. Prof. Roperr Cotter, Zoological Museum, Christiania.
5 1872. Doctor Exrrorr Covers, Smithsonian Institution, Washing-
ton, D.C.
1875. Marchese Giacomo Dorta, Genoa.
1872. Doctor Vicror Fatto, Geneva.
1872. Doctor Henry Hitrtyer Giertort, Real Instituto di Studi
Superiori, Florence.
1872. Grorar N. Lawrence, New York.
ro 1872. Baron Dz Srtys Lonecuamprs, Liege.
1866. Doctor Junius von Maparisz, National Museum, Buda-
Pesth.
1872. Doctor A. J. Matmeren, Helsingfors.
1883. Prof. Oranien Cartes Marsn, Yale College, Newhaven,
U.S.A,
1881. Doctor AporpH Brrnarp Meyer, Director of the Royal
Museum, Dresden.
15 1872. Doctor A. von Mippenporrr, Dorpat.
1872. Prof. AtpHonsr Minne-Epwarps, Jardin des Plantes, Paris.
1881. General N. Presevatsky, Academy of Science and Art, St.
Petersburg.
1872. Prof. Gustav Rappeg, Tiflis.
1880. Ropert Rrpeway, C.M.Z.S., Smithsonian Institution, Wash-
ington, D.C.
20 1872. Count Tommaso Satvaport, Zoological Museum, Turin.
CONTENTS or VOL. VI.—FIFTH SERIES.
(1888. )
NumBer XXI., January.
Page
I. Notes on Woodpeckers.—No. XIV. On the Genus Geeinus.
Dye eDwaARD taRerrr, EOZS.36 aNocc wo GS oee Ae ed
II. Notes on the Birds of New Zealand. By T. W. Kirk,
of the Geological Survey Department. . . . . . . 4.4 . 42
III. On the Hornbills of the Seo Region. By Captain
Gai. SHELLEY, F.Z.8. ss aft Yo hcdl Gly ‘oxen cone
IV. On the Birds of Bhamo, Upper Burmah. By Evernn
eos si Accs, (relate yin. Spa bee Ne et a as 70
V. Notes on the Birds of Teneriffe. By Capt. Savitz G.
Ret, R.E. (Concluded from vol. vy. page 435.) . . . . . 73
VI. On the Genus Cyclorhis, Swains. By Hans von Brr-
BIGEHC HM Res mery, tb Casctstl ad Sg teaetae 2) ap uliées trek oS OS
VII. Remarks on the Acanthize of Tasmania. By Colonel
Mirmiinimare NAG tN 9. 38 sole vee Necera es! SUS” oe wees
VIII. Ornithological Notes of a Tour in Cyprus in 1887. By
Dr. F. H. H. Guirtemarp, M.A., F.Z.S. With a Preface by
ijord Lrnvorp, (Plate II.) ..... = . ae ee eee Meee: |
TX. On the presence of Claws in the Wings of the Ratitz.
eon embark, HRS. b.i)!s )ce eine winep cat tael “a itn ie:
X. Descriptions of two new Species of Birds from Bogota,
Colombia, “By Hans von BernerscH »' 2.7 27s. 128
xvl
CONTENTS.
Page
XI. Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications :—
1. Anderson on the Birds of the Mergui Archipelago 131
2. Berlepsch on the Birds of Paraguay 131
3. Blasius on the Birds of Celebes. ‘ 132
4. Bryant on the Ornithology of Guadalupe ian 132
5. Buller’s ‘ Birds of New Zealand’ a3
6. Carazzi on the Birds of Spezia . 134
7. Hartert on the Birds of Prussia 134.
8. ‘Indian Annals and Magazine of Natibal Seienee? 154
9. Lucas on the Osteology of Vothura : 134
10. Meyer on the Capercaillie and Black Grouse . 135
11. Milne-Edwards and Oustalet on the Birds of Gama
Comoro Island : ‘ 135
12. Nazarow on the Zoology of the arenes Sone 136
13. Nicholson on the Birds of the Manchester District 136
14. ‘Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society’s Trans-
actions’ «te . 136
15. Pelzeln and Minder on the Pigs Hp lleirg
16. Ridgway’s Manual of North-American Birds 137
17. Ridgway on a new Cotinga . 139
18. Ridgway on a new Spindalis : 139
19. Ridgway on the female of Carpodectes antonie 140
20. Ridgway on a new Porzana . 140
21, Ridgway on Ardea wuerdemanni 140
22. Ridgway on an Arizonan Trogon 140
23. Ridgway on a new Dendrocolaptine Bird 140
24, Ridgway on a new Phacellodomus . 141
25. Ridgway on two new Owls . 141
26. Scully on the Mammals and Birds of Nortteun ‘At
ghanistan . . 5 141
27. Shufeldt on the Skulls of Turkeyen 141
28. Sousa on Birds from Ilha do Principe 14z
29, Sousa on Birds from Mozambique . 142
30. Stejneger on Japanese Birds . 142
31. Steyneger on Hawaiian Birds 143
32. Stejneger on Palearctic Bullfinches : 144
33. Stejneger on the Birds of the Commander Tislatidel 144
34, Stejneger on a new Fruit Pigeon . ‘ 144
35. Townsend’s Field-notes on Californian Zoology 145
CONTENTS.
XII. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.:—
Letters from Mr. J. H. Gurney, Mr. W. Davison, the Rev.
Canon H. B. Tristram, and the Rey. H. A. Macpherson; The
Turati Collection; The Breeding-habits of Flamingoes ; The
_ B.M. Catalogue of Birds ; Sale of a Great Auk’s Egg. . . .
NumBer XXII, April.
XIII. Notes on Woodpeckers.—No. XIV. On the Genus Ge-
einus. By Epvwarp Harerrt, F.Z.S. .
XIV. On a Collection of Birds from the Island of Palawan.
By R. Bownrrr Suarre, F.LS., F.Z.8., &e. (Plates ILI., IV.)
XV. The Polar Origin of Life considered in its bearing on
the Distribution and Migration of Birds.—Part Il. By H.
B. Tristram, D.D., F.R.S. ;
XVI. Note on Long-faced Birds. By W.K. Parxnr, F.R.S.
XVII. Notes on the Birds of Cashmere and the Dras District.
By Lieut. W. Witrrip Corpravx (Queen’s Bays) .
XVIII. On the occasional Assumption of the Male Plumage
by Female Birds. By J. H. Guryey, Jun. .
XIX. Further Notes on Calyptomena whiteheadi. By R.
Bown ter Suarpe, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &. (Plate V.).
XX. Further Notes on the Birds of the Loo-choo Islands.
By Henry Srrsonm
XXI. On the Arctic Form of the Nutcracker, Nweifraga
caryocatactes. By Henry Sresoum FS ae
XXII. A List of the Birds of the Islands of the Coast of
Yucatan and of the Bay of Honduras. By Osperr Satyin,
OAS BH RoS., 0C..
XXII. Notes on a small Collection of Birds from Newala,
East Africa. By H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.RB.S.
XXIY. Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications :—
36. Adamson’s ‘ Illustrations of Birds ’.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. b
. 153
193
. 204
217
. 218
. 226
. 231
. 232
. 236
. 241
xviil CONTENTS.
Page
4 he Auk’. , . 267
38. Biichner on the Birds of the St. ‘Boerne District . 269
39. Emerson on the Birds of Southern California 270
40. Ernst on the Birds of the Caracas Museum . 270
41. Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Centrali-Americana’ . 270
42. Gould’s ‘ Bird’s of New Guinea’ Zee
43. Gurney on the House-Sparrow . . 212
44, Harvie-Brown and Buckley on the Binds of Sather:
land and Caithness . te
45. Linnean Society of New South wale (Paorecdnes of ’ 274
46. Menzbier on the Osteology of the Penguins . . 275
47. Merriam on the Misdeeds of the British House- Spano 276
48. Montlezun on Bernicle Geese Airs
49, ‘Ornis’ Berar
50. Palmén on Sibenan Birds = te
51. Salvadori on Birds from Upper Bien , . 278
52. Salvadori on Birds from Tenasserim . - 278
53. Sclater and Hudson’s ‘ Argentine Ornithtloay2 . 279
54. Sharpe on the Fringillide : pe ea (-3)
55. Shufeldt on Birds’ Muscles useful in 1 icon 281
56. Stejneger on a Muscle of the Bird’s Wing 281
57. Stejneger on a new Thrush . 281
58. Winge on Fossil Birds from Brazil 282
XXY.
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. :—
Letters from A. Everett, Esq.; Sir W. L. Buller; Lieut.-
Col: Xi.
M. Drummond Hay. Note on Zapornia spilonota ;
Ornithological Travellers ; Bartlett’s new Monograph of Weaver-
birds and Finches ; Sale of another Great Auk’s pia Obituary
—Mr. E. Lear; Mr. J. C. Hele nace a cones
NompBer XXIII., July.
XXVI. List of Birds collected in Eastern Africa by Mr.
Frederick J. Jackson, F.Z.S. By Capt. G. E. Suerrey, F.Z.8.
With Notes and an Introduction by the Collector. (Plates
Vi.;. VIL.) Rab
. 282
- 2a
CONTENTS,
XXVIII. On the Birds of the Snares Islands, New Zealand,
By Dr. O. Finscu, Ph.D., H.M.B.0.U., &. . an
XXVIII. On Merula torquata and its Geographical Races.
By Henry Srrsoum ak Wesjubteuny’ he
XXIX. On Phasianus torquatus and its Allies. By Henry
SEEBOHM . bares Bate ienee) Ae iisre ete &
XXX. On Hirundo rustica and Motacilla melanope in Ceylon.
By Samvet Burien. (Communicated by Jonn Henry Gurvey.)
XXXI. Description d'une nouvelle Espéce du Genre Hmbe-
riza. Par L. Taczanowsxi. (Plate VIII.)
XXXIT. On the Dates of Publication of Bonaparte’s ‘ Icono-
grafia della Fauna Italica.’ By T. Satvavort, C.M.Z.S. .
XXXIII. Notes on the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes for-
steri). By P. L. Scuarmr, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. ;
XXXIV. On the Classification of the Striges. By Franx E.
Bepparp, M.A., F.Z.8., Prosector to the Zoological Society of
London : : oe Gs UR Nr aaa
XXXY. On the Birds observed by Dr. Bunge on his recent
Visit to Great Liakoff Island. By Henry Sresoum .
XXXVI. Critical Notes on the Procellariide. By Osperr
Satyin, M.A., F.R.S., &e. ; , ir.
XXXVII. Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications :—
X1X
Page
. 307
. 309
. 312
316
. 330
. 344
. dol
59. Bartlett on Weavers and Finches . . 360
60. Berlepsch on Colombian Trochilidee 36k
61. Bocage on additions to the Avifauna of St. Thomas . 361
62. Bocage on Birds from Equatorial Africa . . B62
§3. Bull on the Birds of Herefordshire . 862
64. Buller’s ‘ Birds of New Zealand’ . 362
65. Carazzi on additions to the Birds of Spezia . . 363
66, 67. Chamberlain on Canadian Birds . . 363
68. Dubois on the Birds of Belgium . 364
69. Emin Pasha’s Letters and Journals = a6p
79, Harvie-Brown on the Isle of May. . 365
71. Le Messurier on Indian Game, Shore and Water Birds
366
XX CONTENTS.
Page
72. Mansel-Pleydell on the Birds of Dorsetshire . . . 366
73. Nehrkorn on his Collection of Eggs . . . . . 367
74. Pelzeln and Lorenz on Types in the Vienna Muenm . 367
75. Ridgway on the Species of Phrygilus. . . . . . 367
76. Salvadori on anew Hemiwus . . wk ae OOS
77. Salvadori on the Caspian Plover in Teal 5 ee ee a BOS,
78. Seebohm on the Distribution of the Limicole . . . 369
79. Shufeldt on some Birds’ Sterna and Skulls . . . . 370
80. Smith on the Birds of Wiltshire . ..... . 370
81. Sousa on two new Birds from Angola. . . . . . 3871
824 Sousa on the Birds of Angola] Wo. = 26 eee
XXXVIII. Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. :—
Letters from Prof. W. Blasius; Dr. J. v. Madarasz; Prof.
R. Collett; Mr. H. E. Dresser; Mr. C. 8. Miliard; Mr. R.
Lloyd Patterson; Mr. W. A. Sanford; and Mr. F., E. Blaauw.
Notes on the Breeding of the Hoatzin; the new Irruption of
Syrrhaptes paradowus. News of Bird-collectors in Foreign
Parts. Obituary—Mr, H. Pryer and M. M. N. Bogdanow.
INewsrotluiminerasha, . coo (coc. pe ce ey ee A en ee
Number XXIV., October.
XX XIX. Further Descriptions of new Species of Birds dis-
covered by Mr. John Whitehead on the Mountain of Kina Balu,
Northern Borneo. By R. Bowprer Suarpe, F.LS., F.Z.S., &c.
(CHEN aD. 5.6 0) er re me ame Rar ai ia”
XL. Note on the Geographical Distribution of the Crested
Cuckoos (Coccystes). By G.C. Norman, F.Z.8. . . . . . 396
XLI. Notes on some Oriental Birds. By Jonn Wurreneap. 409
_ XLII. On the Habits and Range of Bulwer’s Pheasant. By
BV El. TREACHER “2. sh. Bs Lee mene rene ee ines
XLIIL An Attempt to Diagnose the Suborders of the Great
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds by the aid of Osteological
Characters alone. By Henry Srrpopm...... =. . 415
CONTENTS. XX1
XLIV. Note on the Genus Rectes. By R. BowpLer Suarpr,
EPP EPA OwOCCso, | a) «1 ‘shall UM ei oM CEA 5.20400
XLV. On two apparently undescribed Species of Sturnus.
By bh. Gownurr Suarrr, F.L.S., FZS8. &ey-0 3 fe. 438
XLVI. On a Breeding-colony of Larus eburneus on Spits-
bergen. By Professor Rosert Cotterr, Zoological Museum,
Giiristiania., “(Plate XU). Bios jua ay et mds oe ok ae 20
XLVII. Winter Notes in Spain. By Aspen Coapman . . 444
XLVIUI. On the Birds of Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires,
Argentine Republic. By Franx Wiruineton. With Notes by
eee SGEATER | ile nahh ly (at ct ep cd Moe Speech oneapeee Dy el
XLIX. On the Identity of Lbts propinqua with Lbis melano-
cephala. By Henry Serponm. . . Ve ae ee ea
L. Notes on some Species of Zosterops. By Atrrep and
ED WAED NEWTONS gah 2 504 seo) ae om om iat 's)o alten ey
LI. On two new Species of Starlings. By R. BowpLer
SHMRPR MESS GCs e ethene fon) 50 eos gle cae eee
LIL. Diagnoses of some new Species of Birds obtained on the
Mountain of Kina Balu by Mr. John Whitehead. By R. Bowprrr
DHAEP He Melaws Wem me toe a yc S wloa ewok 2 AUS
LILI. Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications :—
Goa). theAuk =". “2°. Kn Ppeh tah oh aa eee,
84. ‘The Audubon Maeanne? ae: . 480
85. Barboza du Bocage on a new Bird ee St. Thome . 482
86. Belgian Ornithological Report for 1886. . . . . 482
37. Buttikofer on Birds from Liberia . . . . « 482
88. Dall on the Scientific Work of Professor BRids 2 23483
89. Furbringer on the Anatomy of Birds. . . . . . 483
90. Giglio on Birds from Assab and Shoa . . . . . 484
91 -irby's Key List\of British Birds’ . 4 2°. . 4 « 485
92. Kolier on the Birds of Holland. . .. . . 485
93. Menzbier on the Posthumous Works of See . 486
94, Meyer and Helm on Ornithological Stations in
SaxOUW rf: cp Ven BOR ne ca Vcc ta. ernst et OG
XXil CONTENTS.
Page
So sUris* ss. TP 7% eee ee aS,
96. Pelzeln and Lorenz on Types in the Vienna Museum. 487
97. Salvadori on the Birds of Shoarevs yee ap s,s» 407
98. Saunders’s ‘Manual of British Birds’. . . . . . 488
99. Sclater on the Oligomyodian Passeres . . . . . 488
100. Sousa on the Birds of St. Thomé . . . . . . «490
101. Taczanowski on Caucasian Birds . .... . . 490
102.
LIV.
Lette
Tegetmeier on Pallas’s Sand Grouse . . . . . . 490
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.:—
rs from Mr. E. L. Layard; Sir J. W. P.Campbell-Orde,
Mr. F. E. Beddard; Dr. G. Hartlaub; and Mr. Hugh R. Rab-
betts ;
Sclater.
Extract from a Letter from Dr. Burmeister to Mr.
Assumption of Male Plumage by Female Birds. An-
niversary Meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Union, 1888.
Obituar
y—Mr. Henry Stevenson . . . . . .. « « « 40
rex Gee hes peel secs ike os tes ak Que Denes ee Pe we
Titlepage, Preface, List of Members, and Contents.
General Index to the Fifth Series.
To Eee Ss,
FIFTH SERIES.
No. XXI. JANUARY 1888.
I.—Notes on Woodpeckers.—No. XIV. On the Genus Gecinus.
By Epvwarp Hareirt, F.Z.S.
Since Malherbe’s monograph appeared new species have
been added to the present genus, and through the earnest
labours of many ornithologists a more thorough knowledge of
the species comprised in it has been arrived at, while certain
Gecini supposed to be distinct have been allotted to their true
position. It is with the view of placing before the readers
of ‘ The Ibis’ the present state of our acquaintance with the
genus that I have undertaken its revision, adding a few
notes which may possibly prove interesting. I have included
in the genus Gecinus three species which are generally placed
in the genus Chrysophlégma of Gould, viz. G. chlorolophus,
G. chlorigaster, and G. puniceus, as I am of opinion that their
true affinity is with the Gecini, and not with the other yellow-
naped species composing the genus Chrysophlegma. Count
Salvadori places G. puniceus in his genus Callolophus, but
I think its characters are those of a Gecinus.
Reichenbach, in bis ‘ Handbuch,’ includes nine species in
the present genus. Of these G. karelini is generally admitted
to be nothing more than G. viridis; while G. xanthopygius is,
SER. V.—VOL. VI. B
2 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
in my opinion, only G. striolatus of Blyth, and this is the view
taken by Malherbe. The latter author, in his monograph,
enumerates twenty-four species under the genus Chloropicus,
sixteen of which belong to the Old World and eight to the
continent of America. Of the Old-World species I would
eliminate from the present genus C. mentalis and C. miniatus,
and place them in the genus Chrysophlegma, and refer
C. karelint to our common Green Woodpecker, G. viridis ;
the New-World species I would include in the genus Chlo-
ronerpes. Sundevall, in his ‘ Conspectus,’ under Tribus 19,
Picr virripes, includes ten species; of these I have united
G. tancola and G. guerini. Gray, in his ‘ Hand-list,’ enu-
merates seventeen Gecini, and among these he includes the
yellow-naped species placed by modern authors in the genera
Chrysophlegma and Callolophus. I unite his G. tancola and
G. guerini, and consider that G. karelint must sink into a
synonym of G. viridis.
In the present genus I include sixteen species. Of these,
three have been described since the time of Malherbe, viz.
G. sharpii of Saunders, G. erythropygius of Elliot, and G. gorii,
recently described by myself and subspecifically distinct
from G. squamatus. Dr. Menzbier (Bull. Nat. Mosc. 1886,
pt. 1, p. 440) has described a Gecinus from the Murgab river,
which he names G. fiavirostris; but from the description I
cannot see in what respect it differs from G. sguamatus, as he
has omitted to give the characters (if any) which distinguish it
from the latter species. Under the heading of G. sqguamatus
I have entered more fully into this question, and have endea-
voured to show that Dr. Menzbier’s G. flavirostris is not the
same as my G. gorii, whatever else it may prove to be.
I have done my best to make the synonymy in this paper
as complete as possible, and to describe the various plumages
of each species, as far as the series of specimens at my com-
mand would permit. For want of a perfect series of the
young, I have been compelled to omit them in the key.
In the geographical distribution appended to each species I
have been enabled, in some instances, to show an extended
range and where this has been done I have specified the
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 3
birds which seem to me to warrant the extension. In addi-
tion to the British Museum specimens (including the Hume
collection) I have had my own large series to aid me in
the conclusions I have come to, which have been arrived
at after several years’ work. I am indebted to Captain Bing-
ham and to Mr. Eugene Oates for many of the specimens
which have served to make this paper fairly complete as
regards the various stages of plumage described, and I have
also to thank these gentlemen for many valuable notes.
Key to the Species.
a. Rump green or yellow.
a’, No yellow nuchal crest; never any red on
the wings.
a, Under surface of the body perfectly uni-
form; face grey or slightly tinged with
green.
a’. Nape black; occiput black, or grey
striped with black.
a‘, Tail black, the central pair of feathers
with greyish spots upon both webs;
eee stripe and bill black.
pe C@rowaredancsee atin © scala stele occipitalis, § ad.
o Crown black, like the cee and
GTRPGR acre seta ate te earth omit cerate care occipitalis, 9 ad.
64, Tail entirely crossed by greyish bars ;
malar stripe black; lower mandible
yellow at the base.
CaO rowiereGarriacin eee re a tae guerinti, 3 ad.
d>, Crown and occiput grey, striped
with black, sometimes almost en-
tirely black yracc sere stteemleha es guerint, 2 ad.
6°, Nape grey.
Cau ONO WNETEUM Ess ania tart eterna Ra ahe NG canus, S$ ad.
d‘, Crown and occiput grey .......... canus, 2 ad.
&?. Under surface of the body more or less
distinctly varied on the abdomen, flanks,
and thighs with somewhat V-shaped or
crescent-shaped dusky markings.
c’, Face grey, crossed by a whitish stripe
from the base of the upper mandible
to the upper extremity of the black
malar stripe.
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
e+, Crown, occiput, and nape red ......
ft. Crown and occiput grey striped with
black;mape red 92.0... jose enn
d’, Face grey, without white stripe from
the base of the upper mandible ; crown,
occiput, and nape red,
g'. Malar stripe red. s.4. «are ao Mueene
hs. Malar stripe black..27-2.00.-.ee
e®, Anterior half of face black; crown, occi-
put, and nape red.
eh Malar stripe ted . <0. snr «eae
ye Mlalarstripe black. .\s.cmmisirariersr
c®, Throat, chest, and sometimes upper breast
uniform, remainder of the underparts
varied with V-shaped, crescentic, or squa-
mate markings of black, brown, or brown-
ish olive.
Jf?. Underparts below the breast with some-
what V-shaped or crescent-shaped
markings of black; malar stripe red.
k*, Crown and occiput red, this colour
spreading on to the black nape....
I’. Crown grey varied with black, occiput
red, maperblack > one acs eaienienee
g®. Throat and chest olivaceous ashy; under-
parts below the chest covered with
squamate markings of black; tail en-
tirely barred; malar patch striped
black and white.
m*, Wing-coverts and scapulars, as well
as the back, uniform; the squamate
markings on the underparts broad ;
tail black, narrowly barred with
creamy white, the black interspaces
showing clearly on the underside ;
the white bars on the wings much
narrower than the black.
e’. Crown, occiput, and nape red ....
f°. Crown, occiput, and nape black ..
n* (pale form). Wing-coverts and scapu-
lars barred with darker green; the
squamate markings on the under-
parts extremely narrow ; tail creamy
white, narrowly barred with brown-
ish black, these bars showing faintly
vaillanti, go ad.
vaillanti, 9 ad.
sharpu, 3 ad.
sharpu, 9 ad.
viridis, 3 ad.
viridis, 9 ad.
awokera, ¢ ad.
awokera, 2 ad.
squamatus, 3 ad.
squamatus, 2 ad.
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
on the under side, which is washed
with golden yellow; the light bars
on the quills as broad, or even
broader, than the black.
g°. Crown, occiput, and nape red .... gorw, d ad.
h®, Crown, occiput, and nape black .. gor, 9 ad.
A’, Throat and chest ochreous yellow,
sometimes tinged with green; under-
parts below the chest covered with
elongated squamate markings of black-
ish brown, and having a somewhat
striped appearance ; tail black, the cen-
tral feathers with oblique bar-like spots
on the base of the inner web; malar
patch black, striped with white.
o*, Crown, occiput, and nape red...... vittatus, S ad.
p*. Crown, occiput, and nape black .... vittatus, 2 ad.
d?, The throat (generally), the chest, and re-
mainder of the underparts always covered
with elongated squamate markings of
blackish or brownish olive.
#3, Tail nearly uniform, the feathers having
at most a few bar-like spots of buff or
brownish white at the base of both
webs, these being almost concealed by
the coverts, the outer large feather
minutely spotted on the external web ;
malar patch black, striped with white ;
throat sometimes uniform,
q‘. Crown, occiput, and nape red ...... viridanus, ¢ ad.
r*, Crown, occiput, and nape black .... viridanus, 9 ad.
7°. Tail more barred, the bars on the base
of the central pair of feathers only
partly hidden by the coverts, the outer
large feather distinctly barred upon
both webs along their whole length,
and showing clearly on the underside ;
malar patch greyish white, very nar-
rowly striped with dusky olive or
black; throat never uniform,
s4, Crown, occiput, and nape red ...... striolatus, 3 ad.
t+, Crown, occiput, and nape black .... strtolatus, 9 ad.
b'. With yellow nuchal crest, and with more or
less red on the wings.
e*. Wing-coverts and outer webs of quills
6 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
(except the apical portion of the pri-
maries) crimson.
fe, Malar stripe ‘erimsom, 425) ele aeterie puniceus, g ad.
B Wathout malar ‘stripe. < ss. seman puniceus, 2 ad.
f°. Wing-coverts and quills green externally,
the outer webs with a broad stripe of dull
red running parallel with the shaft.
m'’, Crown, occiput, and malar stripe
Crimson, ... fs Ste Gate cee ee eee chlorigaster, § ad.
n®, Occiput (only) crimson; no red malar
SERIPO. cfr eale heen ed hots eee Ie chlorigaster, 2 ad.
g°. Wing-coverts entirely green.
o®. Base of the forehead, and a stripe bor-
dering the forehead and occiput, and
slightly indicated on the edge of the
crown, crimson, this colour sometimes
spreading on to the lower central fea-
thers of the occiput; malar stripe red. chlorolophus, g ad.
p®. Occiput (only) bordered with crimson ;
nored melaristripen a... & ho.enetce chlorolophus, 2 ad.
6. Rump red; chin, throat, sides of the neck, and
the upper chest yellow; underparts with
dusky squamate markings; head black, with
or without a yellow or yellowish-white stripe
behind the eye.
De TOWUNGLCM isa «choke isewin 384 tates ane lafaloteneeels erythropygius, ¢ ad.
a. \Vithout Tedicrowm 2 . <7. .awleec Nermuies erythropygius, 2 ad.
1. GECINUS OCCIPITALIS.
Picus oceipitalis, Vig. P. Z. 8. 1830, p. 8; Gould, Cent. B.
Himal. M. pl. xlvu. (1832) ; McClell. P. Z.S. 1839, p. 165 ;
Blyth.J. A. 8.5: x. p. 922 (1841)%5 id op: cit. xt p. 1002
(1843); id. op. cit. xiv. p. 191 (1845) ; Sundev. Consp. Av.
Picin. p. 61 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. ii. p. 171 (1876).
Picus barbatus, Gray, Hardw. Ill. Ind. Zool. i. pl. xxxi.
fig. 2, ¢ (1830-82).
Malacolophus occipitalis, Swains. Classif. B. i. p. 308
(1837).
Brachylophus occipitalis, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus.
nos. 149, 150 (g ¢); id. in Gray’s Mise. p. 85 (1844).
Gecinus occipitalis, Gray, Cat. Mamm. &c. Nepal pres.
Hodgs. p. 116 (1846); id. Gen. B. i. p. 488 (1846) ;
Mr. BE. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. t
Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 58, no. 263 (1849) ; Bp.
Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 127 (1850); id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod.
p- 10 (1854) ; Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picinz, p. 349,
no. 798, pl. dexxi. figs. 4189, 4140 (1854) ; Horsf. &
Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. ii. p. 661, no. 963 (1856-
58); Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 287 (1862); Tytler, Ibis, 1868,
p- 202; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1868); Bulger,
Ibis, 1869, p. 156; Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. 1870,
p- 267; Gray, Hand-l. B. ii. p. 191, no. 8674 (1870) ; Cock
& Marshall, Str. F. 1873, p. 350; Hume, op. cit. 1874, p. 472 ;
id. & Oates, op. cit. 1875, p. 70; Blyth & Wald. B. Burm.
p. 76 (1875); Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. 1876, p. 70;
Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 26; id. & Davison, op. cit. 1878,
pp- 137 & 501; Oates, op. cit. 1879, p. 165; Scully, tom. cit.
p- 248; Bingh. op. cit. 1880, p. 164; Oates, op. cit. x. p. 191
(1882); Salv. Cat. Strick]. Coll. p. 390, no. 1908 (1882) ;
Oates, B. Brit. Burm. ii. p. 51 (1883) ; Marshall, Ibis, 1884,
p. 410.
Chloropicos occipitalis, Malh. N. Classif. Mém. Acad. Metz,
1848-49, p. 351.
Chloropicus occipitalis, Malh. Monogr. Picid. u. p. 129,
pl. Ixxvii. figs. 4, 5 (1862).
Gecinus striolatus (pt.), Anderson, Yunnan Exped.i. p. 585
(1878).
Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform yel-
lowish olive; wing-coverts uniform glossy golden olive;
bastard-wing and primary-coverts dusky black, edged ex-
ternally with dull green and spotted with greyish; quills
dusky black, the outer webs of the primaries margined at
the base with dull green, and notched along the whole length
with white, those of the secondaries partially or entirely
glossy golden olive; inner webs spotted or deeply notched
(except at the tip) with white ; some of the inner secondaries
entirely golden olive; shafts of the primaries dark brown,
those of the secondaries black; rump yellowish olive, the
feathers broadly margined and tipped with hght chrome-
yellow ; upper tail-coverts yellowish olive; tail black, the
two central feathers margined at the base with golden olive,
8 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
and having the basal portion faintly barred with brownish
dusky ; dwarf feather tipped with yellowish green; shafts
black, browner at the base; nasal plumes black ; base of the
forehead, outer edge and posterior portion of the crown, and
occiput intense black, with grey margins to the feathers, the
latter parts having a striped appearance ; upper part of the
forehead and the greater portion of the crown crimson ; nape
intense black ; lores and sides of the face ashy grey; a black
spot in front of the eye; hind neck and sides of the neck
yellowish olive, the upper part of the latter greyer; a black
malar stripe on a grey ground ; chin and throat buffy white,
yellower on the fore neck ; from the chest to the under tail-
coverts, inclusive, like the back, but a little duller in colour,
except on the chest, which is yellower; under wing-coverts
and axillaries white, tipped with pale yellow and broadly
barred with black: “bill dull horny black ; orbital skin
plumbeous; irides dark crimson ; feet plumbeous ; claws
slaty ” (J. Scully). Total length 12°5 inches, culmen 1°65,
wing 5°55, tail 4°15, tarsus 1:2; toes (without claws)—outer
anterior 0°8, outer posterior 0°75, inner anterior 0°67, inner
posterior 0:4.
In the Hume Collection there is a specimen of an adult
male from Sikkim, of a beautiful golden green above and
below, the feathers of the back as well as the scapulars —
being edged with bright yellow; the wing-coverts rich olive-
golden, inclining to golden brown; the quills and tail-fea-
thers brown ; the chin and throat pale yellowish buff; and
the fore neck, hkewise the sides of the neck, very yellow.
Young male (July). Differs from the adult male in having
the partly exposed bases of the feathers of the back more
dusky; the wing-coverts and secondary quills less golden,
the latter with the faintest trace of dusky-green bars; the
central pair of tail-feathers rather more distinctly barred ; the
forehead with a central spot of orange-red ; sides of the face
mouse-grey ; the chin and throat transversely varied with
dusky and having a spotted appearance; under surface of
the body duller green, the sides of the body, flanks, and
thighs having dusky olive spots and narrow transverse mark-
Mr. H. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 9
ings of dull yellowish white ; the dusky abdomen with dull
yellowish transverse markings.
Adult female. Differs from the adult nrale in the absence
of the crimson on the forehead and crown, these, as well as
the occiput, being black, the feathers having grey margins
and being rather lighter on the forehead, the whole having a
striped appearance; the bars upon the central tail-feathers
more distinct, and most of the others showing an indistinct
trace of barring; the dark markings upon the under wing-
coverts and axillaries browner: “ bill horny black ; orbital
skin plumbeous grey; irides crimson ; feet plumbeous; claws
slaty” (J. Scully). Total length 12°6 inches, culmen 1:45,
wing 5°6, tail 3°8, tarsus 1°2.
Young female (August). Differs from the young male in
wanting the orange-red spot upon the forehead, this being,
like the crown and occiput, grey striped with black. In ~
this specimen the chest and breast are greener, and the fea-
thers of the sides of the body, flanks, and thighs are losing
their yellowish-white transverse markings, and the trace of
dusky-green barring on the secondary quills has disappeared.
Nestling, apparently female (June 17th). More dingy in
colour than the adult, and having the sides of the face less
slaty and more of a mouse-grey ; a faint and narrow blackish
moustachial stripe ; forehead, crown, and occiput dull black ;
tail-feathers all barred, but not so distinctly as are the cen-
tral pair in the adult ; flanks and thighs broadly barred with
blackish. This specimen is in the British Museum, and
forms part of Dr. Anderson’s Yunnan Collection.
Dr. Scully (Str. F. 1879, p. 248) is perfectly right in calling
in question Dr. Jerdon’s description of G. occipitalis. The
mistake is no doubt to be attributed to an oversight on the
part of the latter author, who must have been well acquainted
with the species. Jerdon’s description of the male (B. Ind.
1. p. 288) is as follows :—“ Forehead and occiput dull scarlet ;
top of the head, a broad occipital stripe extending to the
nape, and another on each side under the eyes, black.” Dr.
Scully describes this sex correctly when he writes :—“ Fore-
head and top of the head red; occiput and nape black; a
10 Mv. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
black mandibular stripe on each side of the throat, extending _
to below the ear-coverts.”” The present species is nearly
allied to G. guerini, but may be distinguished from it by its
grey loral region, having only a small spot of black in front
of the eye; by its powerful and entirely black bill; and, above
all, by its tail, which is almost uniform black, with, at most,
a few almost obsolete marginal spots, excepting the central
pair of feathers, which are more distinctly spotted, whereas
in G. guerini the central pair of tail-feathers are barred
across, and the remaining ones are generally barred, although
in some specimens these bars are wanting, but the outer
large feather has always light spots or bars upon both webs,
which are never found in G. occipitals.
Burmese examples of the present species exceed in mea-
surement those from Sikkim and Cachar. G. occipitalis has
a wide range, being found throughout the whole extent of
the Himalayas and in Cashmere, also in Yunnan, Cachar,
Assam, British Burmah, and Siam. In the collection of the
British Museum are examples from Cashmere obtained by
Dr. Bellew. Almost every collection from the Himalayan
range contains this species. Col. Tytler records it from
between Simla and Mussoorie, and the Hume Collection con-
tains examples from the middle ranges of hills north of the
latter place. Dr. Scully writes, ‘‘it is not uncommon in the
forests surrounding the valley of Nepal, where it also breeds,”
and he says it is fairly common about Hetoura in December.
Capt. Strachey obtained it in Kumaon, and it has been pro-
cured in Sikkim by Capt. Bulger and others. In the British
Museum there is a specimen of Gecinus from Momien, Yun-
nan, collected by Dr. Anderson at 5500 feet elevation ; this
bird is a nestling, and was obtained upon June 17th, and
although it has been named G. striolatus by Dr. Anderson, I
am, after a careful examination of specimens, inclined to refer
it to the present species. Dr. Anderson procured in Yunnan
a second specimen (now in the Calcutta Museum); and as he
tells us that it is the common Woodpecker of the elevated
region to the east of the Kakhyen Hills, and the bird in its
adult plumage must have been well known to him, the pro-
My. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 11
bability is that one of his specimens is true G. striolatus,
and the young bird in the British Museum may have been
wrongly identified. McClelland obtained the present species
in Assam, and in N.E. Cachar Mr. Inglis says it is common.
In Native Burmah it is probably to be found, but I have not
seen any specimens from thence. The Hume Collection
includes specimens from the Tipperah Hills. In Pegu, Mr.
Eugene Oates writes that it is one of the commonest Wood-
peckers, aud found all over the province. Messrs. Hume
and Davison, in their “ Birds of Tenasserim ” (Str. F. 1878,
vi. p. 137), inform us that G. occipitalis is confined to the
northern and central portions of that province; and Mr.
Davison, in his note, states, “This species is nowhere com-
mon, I have not observed it anywhere south of Tavoy. It is
most frequently seen in the immediate vicinity of Pahpoon,
but does not ascend the hills, to the north of that place, for
any distance. It is a bird of the thin forests, bamboo jungles,
and clearings.” In the appendix to the same paper a speci-
men is recorded from Tavoy. Capt Bingham found this
species throughout the Thoungyeen valley; he states that it
breeds alike in the north and in the south-west in April.
The British Museum collection contains a male specimen of
a Gecinus obtained at Pitchaburree, Siam, August 1868, by
M. Pierre, which I have no doubt is G. occipitalis.
2. GECINUS GUERINI.
Chloropicos guerini, Malh. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1849,
p. 539.
Gecinus guerini, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 127 (1850); id.
Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854) ; Reichenb. Handb.
Scans. Picine, p. 349, no. 796, pl. dexxu. figs. 4144, 4145
(1854) ; Horsf. & Moore. Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. ii. p. 659,
no. 958 (1856-58) ; Swinh. Ibis, 1863, p. 96; id. P.Z.S. 1863,
pp. 268 & 8383; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1868);
id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8676 (1870) ; Swinh. P. Z. 8S.
1871, p. 392; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 52 (1877);
H. H. Slater, Ibis, 1882, p.435; Seebohm, op. cit. 1884, p. 266.
12 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Gecinus tancolo, Gould, P. Z. 8. 1862, p. 283; id. B. Asia,
vi. pl. 35 (1864) ; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 53 (1877).
Gecinus tancola, Swinh. Ibis, 1863, p. 389; Gray, List
Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1868); id. Hand-l. B. i. p. 191,
no. 8675 (1870); Swinh. P. Z. 8. 1871, p. 392.
Chloropicus guerini, Malh. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 127,
pl. Ixxx. figs. 4, 5 (1862).
Picus guerini, Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 61 (1866) ;
David, Nouv. Arch. du Mus. 1871, Bull. vii. p. 4; Giebel,
Thes. Orn. iii. p. 157 (1876).
Picus tancola, Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 61 (1866) ;
David, Nouv. Arch. du Mus. 1871, Bull. vii. p. 4; Giebel,
Thes. Orn. ii. p. 182 (1876).
Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform green ;
wing-coverts uniform, and more of a golden green; bastard-
wing and primary-coverts dusky, spotted with grey, and
having a barred appearance; quills brownish dusky, the
outer webs of the primaries more or less edged at the base
with green and obliquely barred with white; those of the
secondaries being partially or entirely green, duller than the
wing-coverts, faintly spotted with greyish, and having an
indistinct barred appearance; the inner webs of all deeply
notched and spotted with white; some of the inner quills
almost entirely green; shafts brownish black; rump yel-
lowish olive, the feathers broadly margined and tipped with
chrome-yellow; upper tail-coverts more of a golden green,
tipped with chrome-yellow ; central tail-feathers dusky, mar-
gined at the base with yellowish olive and barred with ashy
brown; the remainder browner, and more faintly barred
with a lighter shade of brown; dwarf feather tipped with
yellowish olive; shafts black, browner at the base; nasal
plumes and base of the forehead ashy grey ; rest of the fore-
head and fore part of the crown crimson, bases of the fea-
thers grey; posterior portion of the crown greenish grey,
streaked with black; nape black; loral region, above the
eye, and entire side of the face ashy grey, rather lighter on
the cheeks; a small black spot in front of the eye ; mous-
tachial stripe black ; chin and throat buffy white; from the
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 13
chest to the vent, inclusive, yellowish ashy, greener on the
chest and thighs; tibial plumes brownish ashy ; under tail-
coverts similar to the under surface of the body, but having
dusky V-shaped markings ; under wing-coverts white, slightly
washed with yellow, and having irregular dusky brown mark-
ings; axillaries white, with a pale yellow tinge, and having
faint dusky bars: “irides pale rose-colour; bill plumbeous,
the tip brown and the base of the lower mandible greenish ;
feet dirty green; claws grey” (David & Oustalet). Total
length 10°5 inches, culmen 1°65, wing 5:6, tail 3°85, tarsus
1:15; toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°78, outer pos-
terior 0°72, inner anterior 0°58, inner posterior 0°35.
Male nestling. Resembles in general coloration the adult
male, but is less brilliant ; the two central rectrices not yet
showing the barring of the full-grown bird ; the crimson
patch on the fore part of the crown smaller ; chin and throat
more of an ashy grey, and not tinged with buff; underparts
dusky, with a tinge of yellowish olive, rather brighter on
the chest.
Adult female. Resembles the adult male, but is slightly
duller in colour, and may be distinguished by the absence of
red on the forehead and crown, these parts being grey, the
crown narrowly striped with blackish; the striations on the
occiput and the nape less black ; the stripe in front of the
eye browner and extending to the nostrils; moustache less
intense black ; the markings on the under tail-coverts fainter ;
the rump less yellow, and the barring of the tail not so dis-
tinct; the soft parts as in the male. Total length 10:2
inches, culmen 1°5, wing 5°3, tail 3°7, tarsus 1.
Female nestling. Differs from the male nestling in the
absence of the crimson on the fore part of the crown;
some of the abdominal feathers tipped with pale yellowish,
the half-concealed portion with an intermarginal V-shaped
black marking, and giving to the abdomen a mottled ap-
pearance.
After an examination of the Swinhoe collection and other
specimens in Mr. Seebohm’s cabinets, and also of the British
Museum collection, I find every intermediate form between
14 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
the present species and Gould’s G. tancolo from Formosa,
and I cannot detect any specific character by which the latter
can be separated from G. guerini. Specimens identical with
Formosan examples are found on the mainland, and although
they are darker and have more black on the head and on the
lores than the more northerly specimens, still, in a series,
every possible gradation is found; and this being the case, I
cannot see where the line is to be drawn.
Swinhoe (Ibis, 1863, p. 889) mentions having obtained a
male and two young birds in the mountainous country near
Foochow, and states that they differed from the Formosan
examples in having the two lateral tail-feathers banded with
brownish white, and the pale bars on the two central feathers
carried up to the shafts, instead of separated from them by
a line of brown. All specimens of G. guerini have the lateral
tail-feathers banded as in the Foochow birds, but in Formosan
examples the barring is more obsolete. A specimen from
Formosa in the Swinhoe collection, which I take to be the
bird specially compared by Swinhoe with the Foochowan
examples, has certainly the spots on the central pair of tail-
feathers separated from the shaft by a dark line; but these
feathers are new, being scarcely full-grown, and I believe
this line to occur in the new and perfect feather. In an
example, also from Formosa, haviag the plumage much worn,
the spotting on the central tail-feathers appears nearer the
shaft.
G. guerini does not appear to be found north of Nankin
(where it is replaced by G. canus), but extends over Central
and Southern China into the island of Formosa. I have
only seen one example from Nankin, and that is in the
British Museum. Swinhoe writes that this species is found
at Shanghai, &c., circa 30° latitude, and along the Yangtsze
to Szechuan. Capt. Blakiston procured it on the same
river, and specimens were also obtained between Hankow
and Quaichow by Mrs. Greig and Dr. Reid. The Rev. H.
H. Slater states that it is found in Woochung, Central
Hoopih, and likewise records it from Szechuan. Mr.
Seebohm’s collection contains specimens from Shanghai,
le ee
My. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 15
Chusan, Foochow, and Formosa, and I have in my own
cabinet an example from the island of Pootoo (Pryer).
David and Oustalet consider G. tancolo distinct from
G. guerini, and Pére David gives us the following notes as
to their range :—G. guerini. “ Peculiar to the central part of
China. I have found it very plentiful in Southern Shen-see
and along the Blue River (Yangtsze).” G. tancolo. “ Ihave
found it from Fokien as far as Szechuan, and it is probable
that it inhabits the whole south of China.”
3. GECINUS CANUS.
The Grey-headed Green Woodpecker, Edwards, Nat. Hist.
Birds, u. pl. Ixv. 9 (1747); Lath. Gen. Syn. 1. p. 583
(1782).
Le Pie vert de Norwége, Briss. Orn. iv. p. 18 (1760).
The Grey-headed Woodpecker, Penn. Arct. Zool. 11. p. 277
(1785).
Picus canus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 434 (1788), ex Edwards ;
Licht. Cat. Rer. Hamb. p. 18 (1793) ; Temm. Man. d’Orn.
1. p. 393 (1820) ; Brehm, Naturg. Eur. Vog. 1. p. 1385 (1823) ;
Roux, Orn. Prov. i. p. 95, pl. lix. (1825); Valence. Dict. Sc.
Nat. xl. p. 169 (1826) ; Naum. Voég. Deutschl. v. p. 286,
pl. 1383 (1826) ; Risso, Eur. Mérid. 11. p. 60 (1826) ; Wagl.
Syst. Av. Picus, sp. 33 (1827); Werner, Atlas, pl. 202
(1827) ; Gmriffith’s ed. Cuv. Anim. Kingd. Birds, 1. p. 439
(1829) ; Less. Traité, 1. p. 218 (1831) ; Ménétr. Cat. Rais.
Cauc. p. 46, no. 132 (1832) ; Temm. Man. d’Orn. 2nd edit.
pt. 3, Suppl. 1. p. 281 (1835) ; Gould, B. Eur. iu. pl. 227, ¢
@ ad. (1837) ; Schinz, Wirb. Schweiz, p. 92 (1837); Keys. &
Blas. Wirb. Eur. p. 147 (1840); Schleg. Rev. Crit. Ois.
d’Kur. p. xlix (1844); V. d. Miihle, Orn. Griechenl. p. 30
(1844) ; Schlegel, Vog. Nederl. p. 80, pl. 49, g 9 (1854—
58) ; Linderm. Vog. Griechenl. p. 41 (1860) ; Bree, B. Eur.
ii. p. 186, pl. d figd. (1862) ; Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin.
p- 61 (1866) ; Sabanaeff, Bull. Mosc. xli. pt. 2, pp. 185-197
(1869); Elw. & Buck. Ibis, 1870, p. 188; David, Nouv. Arch.
du Mus. 1871, Bull. vii. p. 4; Mommsen, Griech. Jahresz.
pt. i. p. 186 (1875) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. 11. p. 147 (1876) ;
16 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Harv.-Brown, Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasg. 1877, p. 288 (ex
Sabanaeff) ; Seeb. Ibis, 1882, p. 209.
Picus norvegicus, Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 286 (1790) ; Vieill.
N. Dict. xxvi. p. 99 (1818).
Picus viridi-canus, Meyer & Wolf, Taschenb. Vogelk. 1.
p. 120 (1810).
Picus chlorio, Pall. Zoogr. Rosso-Asiat. i. p. 408 (1811).
Picus caniceps, Nils. Orn. Suec. 1. p. 105 (1817).
Pic cendré, Temm. Man. d’Orn. 1. p. 393 (1820).
Gecinus canus, Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 542; Brehm, Vog.
Deutschl. p. 200 (1831) ; Bp. Cat. Met. Ucc. Eur. p. 51
(1842) ; Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 488 (1846) ; De Filippi, Cat.
Mus. Mediol. p. 21, no. 616 (1847) ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As.
Soc. p. 58, no. 264 (1849) ; Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. 1. p. 126
(1850) ; id. Consp. Voluer. Zygod. p. 10 (1854) ; Reichenb.
Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 348, no. 794, pl. dexx. figs. 4135,
4136 (1854); Powys, Ibis, 1860, p. 235; Swinh. op. cit,
1861, p. 338; Blakist. op. cit. 1862, p. 325; Swinh. P.Z.S.
1862, p. 319; id. op. cit. 1863, pp. 267, 833; Lilford, Ibis,
1866, p. 176; Whitely, op. cit. 1867, p. 195 ; Degl. & Gerbe,
Orn. Eur. i. p. 157 (1867); Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus.
p. 74 (1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8677 (1870) ;
Salvad. Faun. d’Ital. Uce. p. 35 (1871); Saund. Ibis, 1871,
p. 65; Swinh. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 392; Dubois, Consp. Av.
Eur. p. 19 (1871); Bogd. B. Volga, p. 60, no. 42 (1871) ;
Dress. B. Eur. v. p. 95, pl. cclxxxviil. (1872) ; Alst. & Harv.-
Brown, Ibis, 1873, p.59; Irby, Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 72 (1875) ;
Swinh. Ibis, 1875, p. 124; Danf. & Brown, tom. cit. p. 298 ;
Swinh. tom. cit. p. 451; Blanf. Zool. E. Pers. u. p. 186
(1876); Tacz. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1876, p. 239; Prje-
valsky, B. Mongolia, in Rowley’s Orn. Misc. i1. p. 279 (1877) ;
David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 51 (1877) ; Saund. Bull. Soe.
Zool. France, 1877, p. 325; Tacz. op. cit. 1878, p. 1389;
Blakist. & Pryer, Ibis, 1878, p. 229; Bogd. B. Cauc. p. 120
(1879) ; Goebel, Vog. Uman. Kr. p. 154, no. 140 (1879) ;
Russow, Orn. Esth-, Liv- u. Kurl. p. 118 (1880); Brandt,
J. f. O. 1880, p. 229; Seeb. Ibis, 1880, p.181 ; Gigl. op. cit.
1881, p. 191; Wharton, tom. cit. p. 257; Collett, Norg.
eee a eee
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. VG
Fuglef. p. 314 (1881); Blakist. & Pryer, Trans. As. Soc. Jap.
1882, p. 186; Seeb. Ibis, 1882, p. 373; Salv. Cat. Strick].
Coll. p. 390, no. 1907 (1882); Seeb. Ibis, 1883, p. 23;
Radde, Orn. Cauc. p. 307 (1884) ; Gigl. Avif. Ital. p. 206
(1886) ; Salvad. Uce. Ital. p. 67 (1887).
Le Pie vert a téte grise, Risso, Eur. Mérid. ii. p. 60 (1826);
Valence. Dict. Sc. Nat. xl. p. 169 (1826).
Colaptes canus, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274.
Colaptes viridicanus, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274.
Colaptes caniceps, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274.
Gecinus viridicanus, Brehm, Vig. Deutschl. p. 199 (1831).
Gecinus caniceps, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 201 (1831).
Malacolophus canus, Swains. Classif. B. ii. p. 308 (1837).
Chloropicus canus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. i. pp. 124, 294,
pl. Ixxxi. figs. 1, 2 (1862).
Picus canus jessoensis, Stejneger, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
1886, p. 106.
Picus canus perpallidus, Stejneger, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
1886, p. 107 (footnote).
Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform bright
green; wing-coverts uniform and of a browner shade of
green; bastard-wing and primary-coverts dusky, spotted with
greyish and having a barred appearance ; quills dusky black,
the outer webs of the primaries margined at their base with
green, and diagonally barred with whitish; those of the
secondaries partially or entirely green, very faintly barred
with a darker shade and havimg indistinct greyish spots; the
inner webs of all deeply notched with pure white; shafts
black ; ramp and upper tail-coverts green, the feathers tipped
with chrome-yellow, this colour being very conspicuous on
the rump; tail brownish dusky, the feathers more or less
margined at the base with green; the central pair rather
lighter, and having faint greyish spots along both webs near
the shafts; dwarf feather greenish at the tip; shafts dusky
brown, with black tips; nasal plumes black, grey at the
base; lores intense black; at the base of the upper mandible
a narrow band of grey; forehead and fore part of the crown
bright crimson, narrowing towards the centre of the latter,
SER, V.—VOL. VI. c
18 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
bases of the feathers dark grey; outer edge of the forehead
and of the fore part of the crown grey; a whitish spot
above the eye; posterior half of the crown greenish grey,
streaked with dusky green; hind neck green; side of the
face grey, becoming greener on the ear-coverts and side of
the neck; a narrow intense black moustache; chin and
throat uniform buffy white, more tinged with green on the
fore neck; underparts greenish grey, with a few very faint
crescent-shaped markings of a darker shade on the abdomen ;
thighs having V-shaped markings of olive, with a white
centre; under tail-coverts greenish grey, with broad V-
shaped whitish markings between two dusky ones ; under
wing-coverts white, faintly tinged with yellow and barred
with blackish ; axillaries yellowish white, with pale dusky
bars: “ bill horny brown, more coloured above than below ;
ims pale red ; feet black” (Degland & Gerbe). Total length
12 inches, culmen 1°65, wing 5:8, tail 3°95, tarsus 1:1 ;
toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°77, outer posterior
0-77, inner anterior 0°6, inner posterior 0°37.
Younger male. With the upper parts greyer than in the
fully adult ; wing-coverts and secondaries of a dingy green ;
the tail paler and of a browner tint ; the red of the forehead
and crown less brilliant, and the bases of the feathers greyer ;
the posterior part of the crown and the nape ofa bluish grey ;
sides of the face and neck buffy grey, not washed with green ;
chin more of a pale buff; entire underparts uniform buffy
grey ; the thighs tinged with green; under tail-coverts buffy
grey, tipped with yellow. Total length 10°5 inches, culmen
1°6, wing 5°5, tail 3°6, tarsus 1:1.
Adult female. Different from the adult male in the absence
of red on the forehead and fore crown, these parts being
greenish grey streaked with blackish; the rest of the crown
and the nape greyer than in the male; fore part of the cheeks
lighter grey; chin and throat whiter; chest and upper
breast paler green; the abdominal markings a little darker,
those on the thighs being fainter and just visible; under
wing-coverts whiter. Total length 11:1 inches, culmen 1-4,
wing 5°55, tail 3°9, tarsus 0°95.
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 19
It is a matter of surprise that Linneus did not know
G. canus, although found in his own country, and that he did
not recognize either Edwards’s figure of the present bird or
Brisson’s description as belonging to a species distinct from
G. viridis. It is just probable that he regarded the two
species as one. The present bird is so well known to all
subsequent authors as to call for very few remarks. Dr.
Stejneger has recently issued a review of the Japanese Wood-
peckers (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1886, pp. 99-124), in which
he describes a new subspecies under the name of Picus canus
jessoensis, the diagnosis of which he gives as follows :—
“Similar to Picus canus viridi-canus (Meyer & Wolf), but
the whole head strongly tinged with green and the under
surface lighter and clearer ; black streaks (in the male) on
pileum and occiput longer.” The habitat is said to be
“apparently confined to the island of Yesso, Japan.” In
the notes which follow, Dr. Stejneger writes, “ European
specimens exhibit two different styles, which agree in having
the head grey;” and further on, in writing about the
Japanese bird, he says “the chief character of this form,
however, is the strong suffusion of green on the head,” and
he adds :—“ In European examples there is a just perceptible
shade of greenish on the top of the head and middle of hind
neck, but the sides are decidedly grey.”” Now I have before
me two specimens (both females) from Hakodati, dated
October 10th and 12th, collected by Mr. Henson; and
alongside of these I have placed two specimens from the
Vosges (Mougel), one being a female obtained in December,
the other a male, but without date. With the exception of
the sexual distinctions, these four birds could not be separated.
One of the females from Hakodati has an almost imper-
ceptible greener shade on the face than the Vosges female,
but really so slight as scarcely to be observed; but the
Vosges bird has the crown, occiput, and nape quite as green
as this Japanese specimen, if not more so. ‘The other
Hakodati example is not at all greener on the face than the
Vosges birds, and has the crown, occiput, and nape greyer
than the Vosges female, and the occiput and nape greyer than
G2
20 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
the Vosges male. I single out these European specimens as
being identical with those from Yesso ; but our European birds
also vary in colour, and this occurs in examples from the same
locality: for instance, another Vosges female in my collec-
tion differs from the first-mentioned female from the same
locality in having the crown and occiput very much greyer
and the crown more broadly striped with black. As our
European specimens from the same locality vary in colour,
one would naturally expect those from Japan would likewise
exhibit more than one phase of coloration, and this is very
clearly shown to be the case by an example of a female in
my collection obtained at Saporo, in May (7. W. Blakiston).
This bird has the whole of the head and neck perfectly grey,
without a trace of green; the whole of the back is also very
grey, and the under surface of the body is of a greyish
white, with only a perceptible tinge of greenish. It seems to
me that if every slight variation of colour necessitates the
creation of subspecies, then there would be no limit to such
in both Gecinus viridis and G. canus. Specimens of G. canus
from Eastern Siberia are, as a rule, greyer on the head and
neck than Western birds, and resemble more my Saporo
example; but I have a female of this species, obtained at
Elbeuf, Seine-Inférieure, in June (Nowry), which has the
head and neck almost as grey as in specimens from Eastern
Siberia, but the colour is of aless blue-grey. I have not the
slightest doubt that in a series of the present species, from any
locality, examples will be found possessing the grey or the
greenish head, depending upon conditions I am not altogether
able to account for.
In the same paper (p. 107, footnote) Dr. Stejneger de-
scribes another Woodpecker similar to his P. jessoensis, but
which, he says, differs from the latter in the following
points :—‘‘ It is pale grey-headed, with grey forehead, and
altogether without any brown admixture, resembling most
closely the Norwegian true P. canus, but very much paler and
with a decided white superciliary spot; the yellow on the
rump is very restricted, being chiefly confined to the upper
tail-coverts and of a clear lemon-colour.” This bird, which
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 21
Dr. Stejneger designates Picus canus perpallidus, is a male,
and was collected at Sidinij, Ussuri, November 25th, 1884,
by Mr. I. Kalinowski, and the dimensions are given as
follows :—“ Wing 144 millim., tail-feathers 96, expos. culmen
35.” ‘This bird appears to agree with specimens from Eastern
Siberia, of which I have examples, but not sufficiently to
prove what I have already stated and fully expect a series
from the same locality would show, namely, specimens differ-
ing from those typical of Dr. Stejneger’s P. canus perpallidus,
and not to be distinguished from the true Gecinus canus of
Europe ; and in support of this view I will quote M. Tacza-
nowski’s remarks upon G. canus in his “ Revue Critique de la
Faune Ornithologique de la Sibérie Ovientale” (Bull. Soe.
Zool. France, 1876, p. 239) :—“Trouvé partout en Sibérie
méridionale, sur Amour et dans le pays de Ussuri. Sou-
vent on y trouve cles individus fort cendrés, mais il y a
aussi des exemplaires tout a fait comme ceux de l’Europe.” I
cannot, I am sorry to say, recognize either of Dr. Stejneger’s
new subspecies, both of which I am obliged to place under
G. canus. I may add that Vosges examples of this species
have the white superciliary spot fully as well marked as in
birds from Eastern Siberia.
The present species has the most extended range of all
the Gecini, being found throughout the greater part of
Europe, in Southern and Eastern Siberia, Manchuria, Mon-
golia, the northern part of China, and in the island of Yezo.
It has been recorded by Dr. Collett from Odalen in Norway,
and Herr Meves and also Wheelwright have obtained it in
Sweden. The latter naturalist did not, however, procure the
species in Lapland during his tour. It is unknown in the
British Isles. In France it does not appear to be abundant ;
I have received it from the north, and also from the Vosges
mountains. In Spain it also appears to be far from common ;
Lord Lilford observed it at Casa de Campo, near Madrid, but
he considers it by no means common. Mr. Howard Saunders
includes G. canus in his ‘ List of the Birds of Southern
Spain ” (Ibis, 1871, p. 65), and writes :—“ I did not identify
this species in the flesh; but I have seen specimens, and believe
22 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
it to be common, taking the place of G. viridis (G. sharpii)
in the higher woods.” According to the same author, it is
said to occur in the forests of the Sierra Nevada and of the
Province of Murcia. Lieut.-Col. Irby states that in the
Museum at Seville there is a specimen, said to have been
obtained in the neighbourhood. This species is said to be
tolerably common in Switzerland. In Italy, according to
Prof. Giglioli, this species is very rare and exclusively alpine,
but it is less uncommon in the Eastern Alps. Mr. Danford
procured it in Transylvania. The Hon. T. L. Powys (Lord
Lilford) observed it near Cettinye, in Montenegro. Messrs.
Elwes and Buckley found it near Babadagh, in Bulgaria, and
it has been obtained near Constantinople by Robson. Both
Lindermeyer and Von der Miihle include the species in their
‘Birds of Greece.” In Russia, according to Herr Henke
(Seebohm, Ibis, 1882, p. 378), it is a somewhat rare resident
near Archangel: Messrs. Alston and Harvie-Brown found
specimens in the Museum of that town. Brandt says it is
not very frequent in the Province of Petropolitana. It is
also found in Esthonia, Livonia, and Kurland (Russow, Orn.
Esth-, Liv- u. Kurl. p. 118, 1880) ; but it is not so common
as G. viridis, and prefers small copses to Jarge forests.
Goebel states that in Uman it is “not rare, though scarcely
to be called a common bird.” Sabanaeff, in his “ Avifauna
of the Ural” (Bull. Mose. xlii. pt. 2, pp. 185-197, 1869),
writes :—‘ Has not been found on the eastern declivity north
of Ekaterinburg. On the western slope it is rather common,
but does not breed in the birch-woods of the eastern slope.”
Bogdanow, in his ‘ Birds of the Volga’ (p. 60. no. 42, 1871),
observes :—“ It is strange that, up to the present time, I
hardly ever met with this species in the Provinces of Kasan
and Simbersk, although there is no doubt that it occurs
here, having several times been brought to the Kasan
Museum from the vicinity of that town. According to
Riekheil’s observations it is resident in the woods of the
Volga valley and about Sarepta, and has been procured
by Henke near Astrachan.”’ The last statement does not
agree with that of Mr. Seebohm (Ibis, 1882, p. 209) ; the
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 23
latter author says that Henke did not meet with it near
Astrachan. I have in my collection a specimen from Sarepta.
Ménétries, in his ‘ List of the Birds of the Caucasus,’ ob-
serves :—“ Found in the gardens of Kizil-Agaz and near
Lenkoran.” The present species is also included in Radde’s
‘ Birds of the Caucasus,’ but Bogdanow did not meet with it.
In Asia Minor G. canus does not exist. Severtzoff did not
meet with this species in Turkestan; and although Mr. Blan-
ford does not include it in his ‘ Birds of Eastern Persia,’ he
says “its occurrence at Ghilan and Mazandaran is highly
probable.” It does not appear to be found in Western
Siberia, according to Dr. Finsch. Dr. 'Taczanowski (Bull. Soc.
Zool. France, 1876, p. 239) observes :—“ This species is found
everywhere in Southern Siberia, on the Amoor, and in the
country of the Ussuri.” I have in my collection several
examples from Eastern Siberia (Dérries), and M. Jankowski
states that it is tolerably common in the Island of Askold.
It also occurs in South Manchuria, specimens (obtained by
Dr. H. M. James) having been recently added to the collec-
tion in the British Museum. This species is also found in
Mongolia; and although inadvertently omitted in the list of
the birds of that country contained in Prjevalsky’s “ Birds of
Mongolia” &c. (Rowley’s Orn. Misc.), there can be no doubt
that it does exist there, since, in that work, vol. 11. pp. 278,
279 (1877), under the heading of Cyanopolius cyanus (which
species Prjevalsky says he met with im the Guchin-gurb
mountains of S.E. Mongolia, but did not find either in the
Ala-shan or in the Hoang-ho valley, although it is very
abundant in Kan-su), the following observation occurs :—‘ It
is very remarkable that, whenever we met with these birds,
I found some specimens of Gecinus canus in their company,
which followed the Magpies everywhere.” In China the
present species is confined to the north. According to
Swinhoe it is common about Chefoo and Pekin, and it does
not range so far south as Shanghai and the Yangtze Plain,
where it is replaced by G. guerint. David and Oustalet
state that it is found all the year in Northern China, where
it is very common. In Japan it is confined, so far as is at
24 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
present known, to the island of Yezo. Capt. Blakiston
obtained it at Hakodadi, and Mr. Whitely tells us that it is
common in the vicinity of that town. Roux, in his ‘ Orni-
thologie de Provence,’ p. 96, gives the north of America as a
habitat of the present species ; but no Gecini have ever been
found in the New World.
4, GECINUS VAILLANTI.
Picus (Chloropicus) viridis (non Linn.), Malh. Cat. Rais.
Ois. d’Algér., Mém. Soc. d’Hist. Nat. Metz, 1846, p. 17.
Picus (Chloropicus) canus (non Gm.), Malh. Cat. Rais.
Ois. d’Algér., Mém. Soc, d’Hist. Nat. Metz, 1846, p. 17.
Chloropicus vaillantii, Malh. Mém. Acad. Metz, 1846-47,
p- 130; id. N. Classif. op. cit. 1848-49, p. 351; id. Monogr.
Picid. ii. p. 122, pl. Ixxxi. figs. 1-3 (1862).
Picus algirus, Levaill. Jr. Expl. Se. d’Algér., Ois. pl. v.
(1848-49) ; Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 60 (1866) ; Giebel,
Thes. Orn. i. p. 140 (1876).
Gecinus alyirus, Gray, Gen. B. ii. App. p. 21 (1849) ;
Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 348, no. 793, pl. dexx.
fig. 4134 (1854).
Gecinus vaillantii, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 126 (1850) ;
id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854) ; Loche, Cat. Mamm.
ev is. d’Ale.: sp; 191,! p. 92) (1858) 5 Triste. bis, 1832
p. 159; Salv. tom. cit. p. 315; Tristr. op. cit. 1860, p. 373;
Drake, op. cit. 1867, p. 425; Loche, Expl. Se. d’Algér. 1.
p. 83 (1867) ; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1868) ;
id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8673 (1870); Tacz. J... O:
1870, p. 40; Gurney, Jun., Zool. 1871, p. 2579; Dresser,
B. Eur. v. p. 93, pl. cclxxxvil. (1873) ; Irby, Orn. Str. Gibr.
p. 72 (1875).
Picus viridis (non Linn.), Carstensen, Naumanuia, 11. pt. 1,
p. 77 (1852).
Adult male. Entire back and scapulars yellowish olive ;
the feathers of the rump, also the upper tail-coverts, similar,
and margined with chrome: yellow, a few of the former tinged
with orange; wing-coverts slightly darker than the back ;
exposed portion of bastard-wing dusky, spotted with dull
ee ee ee
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Py ia oe oa
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Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 25
white ; primary-coverts browner, and sinilarly spotted ;
quills dusky black, the base of the outer webs of primaries
and the whole of the outer webs of secondaries margined
with green, outer webs of primaries obliquely barred with
buffy white, the inner webs notched or spotted with pure
white on the basal half; the outer webs of the secondaries
having indistinct spots showing through the green colour,
and an indication of pale green bars; inner webs of secon-
daries spotted transversely with white, the innermost feathers
entirely green; shafts of quills brown; central pair of rec-
trices black, margined with green at the base and obliquely
barred with greyish ; the remaining feathers blackish brown,
barred more or less obliquely with a lighter shade of colour,
the barring on the outer large feather being clear pale brown ;
shafts dusky brown, with black tips; upper nasal plumes and
base of forehead dusky blackish ; remainder of the forehead,
crown, occiput, and nape scarlet on a grey ground, the red
tapering to a point on the nape; a black stripe in front of the
eye; side of the face and a broad stripe over the eye ashy grey,
tinged with green; lower nasal plumes and a stripe from
thence, passing across the face and under the ear-coverts,
greyish white; malar stripe black; hind neck yellowish
olive, some of the feathers tipped with yellow; the side of
the neck paler and yellower than the hind neck, with a few
orange-red feathers on the side of the nape; chin and throat
buffy white; fore neck, chest, and breast ashy yellow, clearer
yellow on the abdomen, the latter as well as the thighs with
olive crescent-shaped markings, the breast having almost
obsolete similar markings ; under tail-coverts yellowish, with
broad crescent-shaped olive markings ; under wing-coverts
and axillaries yellowish white, with transverse olive markings :
“‘irides white” (Jrdy). ‘Total length 11:3 inches, culmen 1'5,
wing 6:05, tail 3°8, tarsus 1:12; toes (without claws)—outer
anterior 0°78, outer posterior 0°83, inner anterior 0°68, inner
posterior 0°38.
Adult female. Differs from the adult male in having the
forehead and crown slaty grey, washed with green, the feathers
having a black central stripe, the occiput and nape only being
26 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
scarlet; the olive markings on the abdomen, thighs, and
under tail-coverts almost obsolete. Total length 11°3 inches,
culmen 1°45, wing 6, tail 4°05, tarsus 1.
The younger female has the forehead and crown black,
without any tinge of green, the bases of the feathers showing
grey ; the face less tinged with green ; the dark markings on
the under tail-coverts broader and darker, and the tail-
feathers less distinctly barred.
The range of this African species appears to be very
limited, and is confined, so far as we know, to the northern
parts of Morocco and Algiers as far as the Tunisian frontier.
Mr. Tyrwhitt Drake observed it at Tangiers and on the
Tetuan mountains ; and I have in my collection several spe-
cimens procured for me near Tangiers by Signor Olcese. Mr.
Salvin, in his “ Five Months’ Birds’-nesting in the Eastern
Atlas” (Ibis, 1859, p. 315), supplies us with the following
notes :—“ It is not uncommon in districts where there are
large trees. I met with it on several occasions; and a nest
of seven eggs, with the old bird, was brought to us by
an Arab. These eggs appear, on comparison, decidedly
smaller than those of our own familiar species.” According
to Canon Tristram, G. vaillanti appears to be abundant
in the neighbourhood of La Calle, Eastern Algeria, and
Dr. Taczanowski, in his ‘* List of the Birds of Constantine ”
(J. f. O. 1870, p. 40), a translation of which was contributed
by Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jun., to the ‘ Zoologist’ for 1871
(p. 2579), writes :—“ Like our Green Woodpeckers, not
plentiful; yet they might be met with in the woods every-
where. A male shot by Count Constantin Branicki, near
Lambessa, had a few red feathers on the cheeks.” On
the Tunisian frontier this species and its eggs have been
obtained by my friend M. Arcade Noury, and kindly lent to
me for comparison. It is very probable that the present
species does not penetrate far into Tunis, as examples from
that country are wanting. Drummond does not include it
in his “ List of Birds found in the vicinity of Tunis and
Biserta ” (Ann. Nat. Hist. 1845, p. 102).
eT ee ee a ee
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 27
5. GECINUS SHARPII.
Gecinus viridis (non Linn.), Lilford, Ibis, 1866, p. 176;
Saund. op. cit. 1869, p. 182; id. op. cit. 1871, p. 65.
Picus viridis (non Linn.), A. C. Smith, Ibis, 1868, p. 448 ;
Giebel, Thes. Orn. iil. p. 186 (1876).
Gecinus sharpii, Saund. P. Z. 8. 1872, p.153; Dresser, B.
Kur. v. p. 89, pl. 286 (1872) ; Irby, B. Gibr. p. 71 (1875) ;
Saund. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1877, p. 8325; Lacroix, Bull.
Soe. Hist. Nat. Toulouse, 1877, p. 183; id. Bull. Soc. Zool.
France, 1877, p. 486; Chapm. Ibis, 1884, p. 79; Tait, op.
cit. 1887, p. 304.
Adult male. Above, including scapulars and wing-coverts,
uniform vivid green; bastard-wing and primary-coverts
brownish black, barred with greenish grey ; quills brownish
black, the outer webs of the primaries having numerous
small white patches or spots, those of the secondaries being
green, with indications of light spots ; the inner webs of the
whole spotted with white; shafts dark brown; rump chrome-
yellow, with a shght trace of red; upper tail-coverts green,
margined and tipped with chrome-yellow; tail brownish
dusky, the two central feathers margined with green at the
base and barred with light greyish; the remainder with a
slight indication of barring; tips of the feathers and shafts
black, the bases of the latter being brown; forehead, crown,
aud occiput scarlet, the bases of the feathers leaden grey ;
lores black ; orbital region grey; side of the face yellowish
grey, becoming bright green on the side of the neck and hind
neck ; a broad scarlet malar stripe, bases of the feathers
black, but the stripe not margined with it; chin and throat
buffy white ; fore neck and chest pale greyish yellow ; entire
underparts light yellowish, the thighs barred with olive ;
under tail-coverts dusky greenish yellow; under wing-
coverts yellowish white, barred with brownish dusky ; axil-
laries yellowish white. Total length 12°5 inches, culmen 1:7,
wing 6°05, tail 3°7, tarsus 1°2; toes (without claws)—outer
anterior 0°77, outer posterior 0°65, inner anterior 0°6, inner
posterior 0°3.
Male nestling (May 15th). Back, scapulars, and upper
28 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
part of the rump dusky olive, the feathers margined with
yellowish olive and crossed by a bar of this colour, with
a central spot of white; lower part of rump bright chrome-
yellow; upper tail-coverts uniform smoky grey, with yel-
lowish tips; wing-coverts dusky olive, with transverse
spots of olivaceous white; bastard-wing black, with mar-
ginal transverse spots of white; primary-coverts black, with
white or olivaceous white marginal spots upon both webs;
primaries dusky black, the outer webs spotted with white
along their whole length and tipped with the same, those
of the innermost margined with olive at the base, the
inner webs of the outer feathers spotted with white at the
base, the spots increasing in number upon the inner
feathers ; outer webs of the secondaries almost entirely
yellowish olive, the outer feathers having indistinct oliva-
ceous white spots, the inner webs dusky black with transverse
marginal spots of pure white along their whole length; shafts
of quills blackish brown; tail dusky black, the base of the
central feathers barred with smoky grey, the lateral feathers
barred with smoky grey and brownish white; shafts varying
from brown on the lateral feathers to black on the central
ones; nasal plumes dusky, tipped with black; lores dusky,
with dull white specks, and in front of the eye a spot of
black ; forehead, crown, and occiput scarlet, the feathers
being tipped with this colour and having dusky leaden-grey
bases ; nape and hind neck dull yellowish olive, the feathers
having a subapical dusky black spot ; the greater part of the
face slaty grey, slightly tinged with greenish anteriorly,
sparingly spotted and striped with dull white, the stripes
under the eye being more distinct and varied with stripes of
black ; from the gape a narrow stripe of white running under
the ear-coverts ; malar stripe scarlet, the bases of the feathers
dusky black; the hinder part of face white, striped with
black ; side of the neck white, barred and varied with black ;
chin and throat white, striped with dusky black; middle of
fore neck white, the sides grey, spotted with black ; sides of
the chest grey ; the middle as well as the whole under surface
of the body yellowish white, covered with varied spots of
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 29
black, those on the abdomen and vent smaller and somewhat
V-shaped, and very faint on the latter part; the flanks and
thighs barred with black ; under tail-coverts white, barred
with black ; under wing-coverts white, with varied spots and
transverse markings of dusky black; axillaries white, with a
blackish shaft-stripe. Wing 4°96 inches.
The male nestling of G. sharpit may be distinguished from
that of G. viridis by its having the face slaty grey, slightly
tinged anteriorly with greenish, striped and spotted with dull
white (this in G. viridis bemg yellowish white, striped with
black) ; the supercilium unspotted; the sides of the fore
neck and chest greyer; the spots upon the underparts less
transverse, being diamond-shaped, heart-shaped, and V-
shaped, except on the flanks and thighs, which are barred as
in G. viridis; the upper tail-coverts not barred.
Adult female. Differs from the adult male in having the
malar stripe entirely black; the lores less black; the tail
nearly uniform, the barring showing most on the penultimate
feather, the others with only a few faint greyish spots; the
rump strongly tinged with red. Total length 11:5 inches,
culmen 1°75, wing 6:15, tail 3°6, tarsus (impossible to
measure).
The tarsi and feet of this specimen (apparently an ex-
tremely old bird) very much diseased, and could not be
accurately measured.
This species, first described by Mr. Howard Saunders in
1872, is a close ally of our own Green Woodpecker, but may
be readily distinguished from the latter by its grey face, and
in having the red malar patch not bordered with black.
According to Mr. Saunders the present bird seems to be
found throughout that portion of Spain south of the Guad-
arrama, and possibly extending to the valley of the Ebro. He
procured specimens from Valencia, Granada, Andalucia, and
Castille. Lord Lilford found it plentiful about Aranjuez, and
also about the Casa de Campo, near Madrid, but he did not
meet with it north of the Guadarrama range. Lieut.-Col. Irby
obtained this species in the Coto del Rey, also in the Coto de
Dojiana, near Seville. Mr. Chapman (Ibis, 1884, p. 78), in
30 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
writing of G. sharpii, observes :—“ Far out among the boulder-
strewn ridges, while Redleg-shooting, I used to find numbers
of Green Woodpeckers, miles away from trees ; they were
attracted thither by the swarms of ants.” He further states
that it is one of the earliest breeders in Spain. According
to Mr. W. C. Tait the present species is abundant all over
Portugal. Mons. Adrien Lacroix (Bull. Soc. Zool. France,
1877, p. 486) records the capture of an adult male of this
species at Martory, Haute-Garonne, upon the 14th of March,
1877; but he considers it only a local race. The occurrence
of this bird (if Mons. Lacroix has not been mistaken in his
identification) north of the Pyrenees would be interesting ;
but it is surprising that a species well known to our English
ornithologists who have visited Spain, and by them supposed
not to range north of the Guadarrama mountains, should
actually be found north of a second range like the Pyrenees.
Mistakes in identification do occur, and I cannot divest
myself of the idea that this is one*.
6. GECINUS VIRIDIs.
Le Pic Verd, Briss. Orn. iv. p.9 (1760); Buff. Hist. Nat.
Ois. vii. p. 355 (1783) ; Daub. Pl. Enl. pl. 371, incorrect,
plesOni a).
Le Pic Verd du Mexique, Briss. Orn. iv. p. 16 (1760).
Le Pic jaune de Perse, Briss. Orn. iv. p. 20 (1760) ;
Salerne, Hist. Nat. Ois. p. 108 (1767).
The Green Woodpecker, Penn. Brit. Zool. Bds. p. 78,
pl. E, g (1766) ; Wallis, Nat. Hist. Northumb. 1. p. 319
(1769); daath. Gen. Syn. 1. p. 577 (1782); Penn soiree
Zool. ii. p. 277 (1785); Lath. Gen. Syn. Suppl. 1. p. 110
(1787); Lewin, B. Gt. Brit. 1. p. 34, pl. xlvi., ¢ (1796) ;
Mont. Orn. Dict. 11. (1802); Bewick, Hist. Bds. i. p. 186
(1826); Hewits. Mag. Zool. & Bot. 11. p. 313 (1838) ; Bury,
Zool. 1845, p. 915 ; Thomp. Nat. Hist. Irel. 1. App. p. 441
(1851) ; Hadf. Zool. xxi. p. 9608 (1865).
Picus viridis, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 175 (1766) ; Scop.
Ann. Nat. Hist. i. p. 47 (1769) ; Ger. Stor. Ucc. Ornith. ii.
* [This specimen was not available for examination when I last visited
M. Lacroix in May 1879.—H. SaunpErs. }
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 31
patos plielxv,,. d+ (1769) > Tunst. Oru: Brit. p.2 (1771);
Gm. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 433 (1788); Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. p. 234
(1790) ; Licht. Cat. Rer. Hamb. p. 17 (1793); Meyer &
Wolf, Hist. Nat. Ois. de l’Allem: p. 155 pl. x. 2 adj, pl. x1.
juv. (1805) ; Pall. Zoogr. Rosso-Asiat. 1. p. 408 (1811); Leach,
Syst. Cat. Brit. Mus. p. 12 (1816) ; Nils. Orn. Suec. i. p. 103
(1817); Cuv. Rég. Anim. i. p. 422 (1817); Vieill. N. Dict.
Xxvi. p. 95 (1818) ; Temm. Man. d’Orn. 1. p. 391 (1820) ;
Brehm, Naturg. Eur. Vog. i. p. 184 (1823) ; Roux, Orn.
Prov. 1. p. 92, pls. 57, 58 (1825) ; Valence. Dict. Se. Nat.xl.
p- 169 (1826) ; Risso, Eur. Mérid. ii. p. 60 (1826); Naum.
Vog. Deutschl. v. p. 270, pl. exxxii. (1826) ; Wagl. Syst.
Av. Picus, sp. 32 (1827) ; Savi, Orn. Tose. i. p. 140 (1827) ;
Werner, Atl. pl. 201 (1827); Flem. Hist. Brit. Anim. p. 91
(1828) ; Cuv. Régn. Anim, 1. p. 449 (1829) ; Griffith’s ed.
Cuv. Anim. Kingd. Bds. ui. p. 439 (1829) ; Less. Traité, i
p- 218 (1831); Ménétr. Cat, Rais. Cauc. p. 46, no. 133
(1832) ; Selby, Brit. B. i. pt. 2, p.372, pl. xxxvii. ¢ (1833) ;
Jenyns, Man. Brit. Vertebr. p. 148 (1835) ; Temm. Man.
@Orn. 2nd ed. pt. 3. Suppl. p. 280 (1835); Gould, B. Eur.
il. pl. 226, g ad. &juv. (1837) ; Schinz, Wirb. Schweiz, p. 91
(1837); Jard. & Selb. Ill. Orn. i. p. 372 (1839) ; Macgill.
Hist. Brit. B. ii. p. 91 (1840) ; Keys. & Blas. Wirb. Eur.
p. 147 (1840) ; Yarr. Hist. Brit. B. 11. p. 1382 (1843) ; Schleg.
Rev. Crit. Ois. d’Eur. p. xlix (1844); Drumm. Ann. Nat.
Hist. 1846, p.13; Baikie and Hedd. Hist. Nat. Orcad. pt. 1],
p-49 (1848) ; Schleg. Vog. Nederl. p.79, Se 3 2 (1854-58) ;
Hewits. Eggs Brit. B. 1. p. 239, pl. 1xi. fig. 2 (1856); Linderm.
Vog. Griechenl. p. 41 (1860) ; Sunde: Consp. Av. Picin.
p- 60 (1866) ; Stev. B. Norf. 1. p. 285 (1866); Wise, New
For. p. 272, and App. ii. p. 308 (1867) ; Cecil Smith, Bds.
Somerset, p. 247 (1869) ; Sabanaeff, Bull. Mose. xlii. pt. ii.
pp. 185-197 (1869); Elw. & Buckl. Ibis, 1870, p. 188; R.
Gray, B. W. Scotl. p. 189 (1871) ; Harting, Handb. Bain B.
p. 82 (1872) ; Cord. Ibis, 1875, p. 184: Mommsen, Griech.
Jahresz. pt. 111. p. 186 (1875) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. iii. p. 185
(1876) ; Schleg. Vog. Nederl. p. 38, pl. v. figs. 3-5 (1878) ;
Elwes, Ibis, 1880, p. 396; Seeb. op. cit. 1882, p. 209.
32 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Picus semirostris, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 175 (1766) ; Mull.
Linn. Naturg. pt. 1. p. 225 (1773) ; Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 435
(1788) ; Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 288 (1790).
The Yellow Blue-footed Persian Woodpecker, Lath. Syn. ii.
p. 584 (1782)
Half-billed Woodpecker, Lath. Gen. Syn. B. ii. p. 586
(1782).
Picus persicus, Gm. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 4385, no. 34 (1788) ;
Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 236 (1790).
Colaptes pinetorum, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274.
Colaptes frondium, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274.
Colaptes virescens, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274.
Colaptes viridis, Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1274.
Gecinus viridis, Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 542; Brehm, Vog.
Deutschl. p. 198 (1831) ; Ross, P. Z.S. 1842, p.1; Bp. Cat.
Met. Ucc. Eur. p. 51 (1842); Gray, Gen. “B. i. p. 438
(1846) ; De Filippi, Cat. Mus. Mediol. p. 21, no. 793 (1847) ;
Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 57, no. 259 (1849) ; Bp.
Consp. Gen. Av. 1. p. 126 (1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod.
p. 10 (1854); Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 347,
no. 793, pl. dexx. figs. 4181-33 (1854) ; Powys, Ibis, 1860,
p. 285; Salvad. Ucc. Sard. p. 32 (1864); Gigl. Ibis, 1865,
p58; More, tom. cit. p.135; Degl. & Gerbe, Orn. Hurt
p. 156 (1867) ; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 72 (1868) ;
Doderl. Avif. Sic. p.-50 (1869) ; Gray, Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191,
no. 8671 (1870); Salvad. Faun. d’Ital. Ucc. 1. p. 34 (1871) ;
Dress. B. Eur. v. p. 77, pl. eclxxxv. (1871) ; Dubois, Consp.
Ay. Hur. p. 19 (1871); Bogd. B. Volga, p. 60, no. 41
(1871) ; Garrod, Ibis, 1872, p. 8359; Gould, B. Gr. Brit. 11.
pl. Ixxiv. ¢ 2, pl. Ixxv. juv. (1873); Brooke, Ibis, 1873,
p- 235; Danf. & Harv.-Br. op. cit. 1875, p. 298; Blanf.
Zool. HK. Pers. 1. p. 135 (1876); Danf. Ibis, 1877, p. 264;
id. op. cit. 1878, p.6; Bogd. B. Cauc. (Russ.), p. 119, no. 184
(1879); Goebel, Vog. Uman. Kr. p. 154 (1879) ; Russow,
Orn. Esth-, Liv- u. Kurl. p. 117 (1880); Brandt, J. f. O.
1880, ‘p. 229; Wharton, Ibis, 1881, p. 257; Gigl. t. e.
p- 191; Buchn. & Pleske, Orn. St. Pétersb. Gouvern. p. 76
(1881) ; Collett, Norges Fuglef. p. 314 (1881); Newt. ed.
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 33
Yarr. Brit. B. ii. p. 457 (1881); Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll.
p- 389, no. 1906 (1882); Seeb. Ibis, 1883, p. 22; Irby, t. c.
p. 179; Radde, Orn. Cauc. p. 304 (1884); Clarke, Ibis,
1884, p. 144; Saund. t. c. p. 379; Seeb. Hist. Brit. B.
i. p. 364, pl. xvii. (1884) ; Gigl. Avif. Ital. p. 205 (1886) ;
Salvad. Ucc. Ital. p. 67 (1887); Backhouse, Ibis, 1887,
pore:
Gecinus pinetorum, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 197 (1831).
Gecinus frondium, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 197 (1831).
Gecinus virescens, Brehm, V6g. Deutschl. p. 199 (1831).
Malacolophus viridis, Swains. Classif. B. 1. p. 808 (1837).
Brachylophus viridis, Jard. Nat. Libr. x. p. 355 (1839).
Picus karelini, Brandt, Bull. Sc. Acad. Imp. St. Pétersb.
ix. p. 12 (1842).
Gecinus karelini, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 438 (1846); Bp.
Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 126 (1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod.
p. 10 (1854); Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 349,
no. 795 (1854); Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 74 (1868) ;
id. Hand-l. B. i. p. 191, no. 8678 (1870).
Chloropicos viridis, Malh. N. Classif., Mém. Acad. Metz,
1848-49, p. 351.
Chloropicus viridis, Malh. Monogr. Picid. i. p. 118,
pl. Ixxix. figs. 1-4 (1862).
Chloropicus karelint, Malh. Monogr. Picid. i. p. 126
(1862).
Gecinus saundersi, Tacz. J. f. O. 1878, p. 349.
Adult male. Above uniform vivid green; wing-coverts
uniform green, slightly darker than the back ; bastard-wing
and primary-coverts black, edged externally with green and
spotted with greyish, having a barred appearance ; primaries
black, edged externally with green, and having numerous
patches of white on the outer webs, the inner having their
basal half spotted with white; outer webs of secondaries
green, with traces of whitish spots ; inner webs black, deeply
notched or barred with white, the tips washed with green;
shafts black ; rump bright chrome-yellow ; tail-coverts green,
edged with bright chrome-yellow; tail black, edged with
green at the base and barred with light brownish grey ; dwarf
SER. V.—VOL. VI. D
84 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
feather dusky black, edged and broadly tipped with green ;
shafts black; forehead, crown, and nape crimson, bases of
the feathers leaden grey; lores and space around the eye,
including front half of the ear-coverts, black; malar patch
crimson, bordered with black; posterior half of ear-coverts
and side of face pale greyish green, shading into brighter
green down the side of the neck; hind neck of the same
eolour as the back; chin and throat dirty greenish white ;
chest and breast pale greyish green inclining to yellow;
remainder of the underparts of a brighter yellow, with in-
distinct dusky tips to the feathers; thighs with cross mark-
ings of olive; under tail-coverts dirty yellowish white, with
broad V-shaped markings of greenish dusky; under wing-
coverts pale yellow, banded with dusky olive; axillaries
yellow, the basal portion being white: “ bill greyish black,
the lower mandible with a yellowish longitudinal band near
the base ; irides white; feet dull bluish grey, the claws light
greyish brown, with a tinge of blue” (Macgillivray). Total
length 12:4 inches, culmen 1°9, wing 6°5, tail 4, tarsus 1:2;
toes (without claws)—-outer anterior 0°85, outer posterior
0°8, inner anterior 0°68, inner posterior 0°4.
Nestling, male. Feathers of the back and the scapulars
yellowish olive on the tips and margins, and crossed by a
yellowish bar with a white shaft-spot, the bases dusky ; rump
chrome-yellow, with dusky or dusky olive and white bars
showing through; upper tail-coverts tipped and margined
with chrome-yellow, the remaining part of the feathers dusky
or dusky olive, crossed by brownish-white bars ; wing-coverts
dusky, more or less washed with yellowish-olive and barred
with dull white ; bastard-wing and primary-coverts dusky
black, edged externally with dull yellowish olive, and having
marginal spots of dull white; primaries dusky black, the
outer webs spotted along their whole length with white, the
innermost margined with yellowish olive, and the inner webs
of these spotted with white on the basal margin; the secon-
daries having the outer webs yellowish olive, the outermost
with a trace of dull white spotting, inner webs dusky black,
yellowish olive on the tip, with transverse marginal spots of
.
{
amt;
~~
era
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 35
white, the innermost feathers almost entirely washed with
yellowish olive, with dull white or yellowish bars; shafts
dusky black; tail dusky black, the lateral feathers having
greyish barring, more or less oblique; shafts dull black ;
nasal plumes grey; lores dusky black, spotted with greenish
white, except immediately in front of the eye; forehead,
crown, occiput, and nape scarlet, the tips of the feathers
being of this colour, succeeded by a dusky spot, and having
leaden-grey bases; hind neck dusky black striped with white,
the lower part washed with greenish; face greenish or yel-
lowish white striped with dusky black ; the supercilium dusky
black spotted with greenish white ; malar stripe dusky black,
the anterior half spotted with greenish white, the feathers of
the posterior half tipped with scarlet; chin, throat, sides of
the neck, and fore neck yellowish white striped with dusky
black ; the whole of the under surface of the body yellowish
white, covered with varied transverse markings of blackish
olive, the thighs barred with the same; under tail-coverts
yellowish white barred with dusky black; under wing-
coverts creamy white, with varied olive, black, and dusky
markings.
Adult female. Resembles the adult male, but has the malar
patch black ; the abdomen with dusky V-shaped markings ;
the thigh-markings less pronounced; the tail not so black,
and the shafts brown at the base; the rump of a richer and
deeper yellow. Total length 12-4 inches, culmen 1:7, wing
6°25, tail 3°9, tarsus 1°15.
Nestling, female. Resembles the male nestling, but wants
the red on the malar stripe, this being dusky black spotted
with dull greenish white.
The nestlings of this species differ from those of G. sharpit
in having the face yellowish white striped with black; the
supercilium spotted with olivaceous white; in not having
any grey on the sides of the fore neck and chest ; the mark-
ings on the under surface of the body being more transverse,
and the upper tail-coverts barred with dusky olive and dull
white.
This is, perhaps, the best known of all the Gecini, and the
D2
36 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
only remarks I think it necessary to make upon it are
brought forward with the view of pointing out the various
so-called species, to which other titles have been assigned,
but which, in my opinion, must be referred to G. w-
ridis. I think there can be no doubt that the bird de-
scribed by Aldrovandi (Orn. p. 850) as Picus luteus cyanopus
persicus was nothing more than the present species ; the de-
scription was taken from a painting seen in Venice, and not
from the bird itself; the latter is said to have come from
Persia, and appears, from the description, to be only a phase
of plumage found occasionally in specimens of Gecini, of
different species, inhabiting warm countries. Picus semi-
rostris of Linnzus was founded upon a mutilated specimen
of the present species, and which Sundevall states is still m
the Stockholm Museum. Le Pic Verd du Mewxique of
Brisson (Orn. iv. p. 16) was founded on a bird described
and figured by Seba (Cab. Cur. Nat. i. pt. 2, p. 100, pl. Ixiv.
fig. 8, 1734) as Ardea mexicana, but which is really our
G. viridis, furnished with the legs of another bird, not a
Woodpecker. Seba’s description of the bird and his figure
do not agree, as he makes no mention of the lores and space
round the eye being red, as represented in his plate. Brisson,
in his description of Le Pic Verd du Meaique, evidently taken
from Seba, shows that he recognized the bird as a Wood-
pecker and not a Heron; and he has consequently,
upon his own responsibility, bestowed upon it the legs of a
Zygodactyle bird. Picus karelint of Brandt was described
from a specimen obtained in the environs of Astrabad, N.
Persia. At my request Mr. Seebohm examined the type,
which exists in the Museum of St. Petersburg, and he informs
me that he considers it to be nothing more than G. viridis ;
and this is the opinion held by Bogdanow. Gecinus saundersi
of 'Taczanowski, from the Caucasus, must, in my opinion, be
referred to G. viridis ; and this is the view taken by Bogdanow
and Seebohm. I have in my collection specimens from
Lenkoran which are identical with our own Green Wood-
pecker A curious variety of the present species, with flame-
coloured rump and yellow bands on the wings, is in the pos-
Ce ,
;
a
-
a
4
4
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 37
session of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. (vide ‘Zoologist,’ 1853,
p. 3800). Mr. Robert Birkbeck (op. cit. 1854, p. 4250)
mentions having seen three or four similar examples in the
Pisa Museum.
Next to G. canus the present bird has the most extended
range of all the Gecini, inhabiting the greater part of Europe,
and being likewise found in Asia Minor and Persia. Wheel-
wright did not meet with this species in Lapland. In
Norway; Dr. Collett records it from Tys Fjord, but it is
rarely found further north than latitude 60°. It was also
frequently observed by Mr. Hewitson during his visit to
Norway ; and in writing on the subject (Mag. of Zool. & Bot.
1. p. 813, 1838) he supplies us with the following interesting
note :—‘‘ We saw several near one of the churches, in the
steeple of which (being of wood) they had bored several
holes in which to deposit their eggs.”” In Sweden its general
vange does not appear to be further north than latitude 60°,
although Herr Meves observed it as far north as Jemtland.
In our own islands, Baikie and Heddle never found this
species in Orkney, but mention having heard of one or two
specimens being obtained. According to the best authori-
ties it appears to have occurred but rarely in Scotland. It
ts also rare in the North of England, its true home being the
more southern couuties. In the New Forest (proper) it is
tolerably plentiful, but is extremely rare in the Isle of Wight.
In Ireland, according to Thomson (Nat. Hist. Irel. 1. p. 343,
1849), the present species could not, upon any good authority,
be said to have been procured up to that date; but in his
Appendix, ii. p. 441, published in 1851, he records a spe-
cimen captured at Kilshrewley, near Granard, co. Long-
ford, and gives such good authority for the statement as to
place the occurrence of the Green Woodpecker in the Sister
Isle beyond all doubt. Throughout France it is a common
species, and it ranges into Spain as far as the Guadarrama
Mountains, where it is replaced by G. sharpiv.
I have never seen any specimens of Gecinus viridis from
Portugal, and as Mr. W. C. ‘Tait (‘ Ibis, 1887, p. 304) in-
forms us that Gecinus sharpii is very abundant all over that
38 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
country, it is improbable that G. viridis will be found along
with it; Portuguese Gecini formerly bearing the latter title
are no doubt referable to G. sharpii, and not to the present
species.
Both Count Salvadori and Prof. Gigholi state that G.
viridis is very common throughout Italy. It does not appear
to exist in Corsica, and it is rare in Sardinia, according te
Count Salvadori, Cat. Uce. Sard. p. 32 (1864), wherein he
writes :—“ I have not been able to meet with a single living
specimen of this species, which Cara says is more common
at the North Cape, but even there it must be rare, as Cetti
could never find any. In the Museum are seen three spe-
cimens.” Mr. Brooke, who visited the south of the island
upon several occasions, never saw or heard the bird. Doder-
lein says it is rare in Sicily, particularly in the environs of
Messina, Girgenti, and Palermo, and that it breeds in the
large woods of the interior. This species is said by Mr.
Elwes to be somewhat rare im Denmark. Mr. Cordeaux in-
eludes it in his List of the Birds of Heligoland in Mr.
Giitke’s collection, where is the only specimen known to have
occurred on the island. In Holland, Belgium, Germany,
Switzerland, and Austria G. viridis is found more or less
commonly. In Transylvania Messrs. Danford and Harvie-
Brown found it common everywhere among the lower oak
and beech woods. According to Messrs. Elwes and Buckley
it is common in all the woods of Turkey. Drummond says
that in Macedonia it is very common in winter. Linder-
meyer includes it in his ‘ Birds of Greece” According to Dr.
Kriper (MS.) :— It is not very common in forests of deci-
duous trees in Greece, commoner in Olympus, and has not
been found in the Cyclades.” The Hon. T. L. Powys (Lord
Lilford) observed this species in the Ionian Islands. Drum-
mond did not meet with it in Crete. In Russia G. viridis is
said by Russow (Orn. Esth-, Liv- u. Kurl. p. 117, 1880) to be
“very common on the islands of Oesel and Moon, and in all
forests of deciduous trees in the Baltic provinces.” In the
province of Gdowski, according to Buchner and Pleske (Orn.
St. Pétersb. Gouvern. p. 76), “the Green Woodpecker is
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 39
exceedingly rare, and has only been observed twice.” Brandt
(J. f. O. 1880, p. 229) writes :—“Sadelin observed it rarely
in the province of Petropolitana.” It is not included by
Brandt in his ‘ Birds of the North Ural. Sabanaeff, in his
‘ Avifauna of the Ural,’ says this species was never found by
him, but that it most likely occurs in the south-west parts
of the Perm Government. Bogdanow (B. Volga, p. 60, 1871)
writes :—“JI cannot say that the Green Woodpecker is very
common here, but it certainly occurs in small numbers in all
the leafy forests here in the south as well as in the north. I
met with it in the black forests of the rivers Hopre and
Medveditiza, in the province of Saratoff, and it ranges as far
south as the lower course of the Volga, and is resident about
Sarepta according to Riekbeil. Most likely it occurs also
about Astrachan, although neither Henke nor myself ob-
served it there. In the fir and greenwood forests it is not
so common as in the larch woods. The periodical changes
in the life of this bird are not sufficiently known to me to
be able to describe the same. In the autumn and winter
it leads, like other Woodpeckers, a very irregular life, and
appears in such forests and localities where it never appears
in the breeding-season.” Goebel says it is rare in Uman,
and that he only saw it about a dozen times in eleven years.
Ménétries states that it is found in the forests at the foot of
the Caucasus, and he records it from Sahan and Lenkoran.
Bogdanow states :—“ Very common in the woods, plains,
and mountains of the Caucasus.” In Asia Minor this species
also occurs, and Mr. Danford informs us that, although not
common, it is well distributed in the oak and fir woods of the
Taurus range. Ross (P.Z.8. 1842, p. 1) remarks :—“ This
species is to be found in great numbers at Trebizond, and I
have shot them as high as Gumushkhangh, which is between
Erzeroum and Trebizond.” In the collection of the British
Museum there is a specimen of a male from the latter loca-
lity, collected by Mr. Ross, which presents a curious phase
of plumage, the back and scapulars being washed with
reddish brown, and the under surface of the body nearly
buff, without any tinge of green. I cannot help thinking
40 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
that it was from a bird in a somewhat similar phase of
plumage (but with the peculiar coloration distributed over
other parts) that the painting was taken upon which Aldro-
vandi founded his species Picus luteus cyanopus persicus.
G. viridis does not occur in Palestine. In Persia it is found,
and Mr. Blanford (Zool. E. Pers. 1. p. 135) records a spe-
cimen from near Shiraz, obtaimed in June, and in a note
appended by Sir O. St. John, the latter gentleman writes :—
“In 1864 I shot a young Green Woodpecker in the oak
forest, the only one I have ever seen in Southern Persia. In
1869 my collector procured an adult specimen in the same
place. It is probably a rare straggler from the forests of the
Zagros hills.”’” Severtzoff did not meet with it in Turkestan.
I cannot accept the statement made by Sonnini (Voy.
Egypte, ii. p. 363) that the present species occurs, as a
bird of passage, in Egypt; we have no reliable record of any
Woodpecker ever having been seen in that country.
7. GECINUS AWOKERA.
Picus awokera, Temm. Pl. Col. iv. no, 25, pl. 585 (1826) ;
id. & Schleg. Faun. Japon. p. 72, pl. xxxvi. (1847-49) ;
Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 60 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn.
ui. p. 143 (1876).
Gecinus awokera, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 488 (1846); Bp.
Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 127 (1850) ; id. Consp. Voluer. Zygod.
p. 10 (1854); Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 349,
no. 797, pl. dexx. figs. 4137-88 (1854); Swinh. P. Z. §.
1863, p. 883; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 72 (1868) ;
id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8672 (1870); Blakist. & Pryer,
Trans. As. Soc. Jap. x. p. 186 (1882); Jouy, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus. vi. p. 808 (1888).
Chloropicos awokera, Malh. N. Classif., Mém. Acad. Metz,
1848-49, p. 351.
Chloropicus awokera, Malh. Monogr. Picid. u. p. 128,
pl. Ixxx. figs. 1, 2 (1862).
Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform pale
green; wing-coverts uniform golden olive, brighter along
the forearm; primary-coverts dusky, edged externally with
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 4]
golden green; quills dusky brown, the outer webs of the
outermost primaries margined at the base with golden green,
and having numerous white markings along the margin,
those of the remainder uniform golden green; the muer
webs spotted or deeply notched with white, those of the outer
primaries having their apical half uniform; a few of the
inner secondaries entirely golden green; shafts blackish
brown; rump-feathers green, broadly edged with chrome-
yellow; upper tail-coverts olive-yellow, brighter on the
margin; tail light dusky brown, edged at the base with
green, and having indistinct darker dusky bars; dwarf
feather dingy green, the tip yellowish; shafts black, brown
at the base ; nasal plumes and base of the forehead black,
the feathers of the latter tipped with ashy grey ; lores black ;
upper part of forehead, crown, and occiput bright crimson,
bases of the feathers leaden grey varied with blackish ; nape
black ; outer edge of the forehead and crown ashy grey, the
feathers tipped with dusky; sides of the face and neck light
grey; aJong and broad red malar stripe on a black ground :
chin and throat buffy white, shading into yellowish grey on
the chest and breast; entire underparts, including sides,
flanks, and thighs, yellowish white, the abdomen having
small V-shaped black markings, the other parts having larger
and broader markings (somewhat heart-shaped) on the sides
and flanks ; under tail-coverts yellowish white, with V-shaped
black markings or olive bars; under wing-coverts white with
a yellow tinge, and having blackish spots and irregular mark-
ings; axillaries white, faintly tinged with yellow, and
sparingly spotted with blackish: “iris Venetian-red; bill
dark greenish, base Jemon-yellow; tarsi and toes dull olive-
ereen” (Jouy). Total length 11°3 inches, culmen 1°6, wing
5°6, tail 3°95, tarsus 1°15; toes (without claws)—outer an-
terior 0°75, outer posterior 0°68, inner anterior 0°6, inner
posterior 0°35.
Adult female. Differs from the male in having the fore-
head and crown smoky grey (slightly tinged with greenish
upon the hind part of the crown), the feathers tipped aud
streaked with dusky, the occiput and nape being red (more
42 Mr. T. W. Kirk on the
of a scarlet than crimson) ; the chest and breast yellower ;—
under wing-coverts whiter; axillaries also whiter, with black
cross-markings: “the soft parts the same as in the male”
(Jouy). Total length 11 inches, culmen 1°45, wing 5°55,
tail 3°9, tarsus 1-05.
Young, probably female. Upper parts and scapulars dusky,
with a slight greenish tinge; wing-coverts, basal margin of
the outer webs of the primaries and outer webs of the secon-
daries dingy olive; the light markings upon the outer webs
of the primaries only indicated, and of a dingy yellowish
colour ; rump and upper tail-coverts not of so bright a yellow
as in the adult; forehead and crown ashy brown; occiput
dingy scarlet ; nape and hind neck dusky ; a small dull scarlet
cheek-patch ; side of the face brownish ashy; from the chin
to the chest, inclusive, dingy pale buff, this colour spreading
on to the middle of the breast; underparts white, broadly
barred with brownish black upon the thighs and under tail-
coverts, the white being less pure and the barring browner ;
tail very indistinctly barred.
This Woodpecker has been supposed, until recently, to be
confined to the main island of Japan; but Messrs. Blakiston
and Pryer, in their “ List of the Birds of Japan” (Trans.
As. Soc. Jap. x. pt. 1, p. 186, 1882) suggested the proba-
bility of the species ranging into the southern islands also,
and their expectations have been realized, as in an amended
list by Capt. Blakiston (1884) he records the present species
as having been obtained at Nagasaki, in the island of
Kiushiu, by Mr. Ringer.
[To be continued. ]
II.—WNotes on the Birds of New Zealand. By T. W. Kirk,
Geological Survey Department.
1. Perraca TorrTol.
Settlers’ name “ Pied Tit”’; native name ‘‘ Miromiro.”
I was recently shown a most beautiful example of this
species, exhibiting almost pure albino plumage ; it is in the
private museum of Mr. 8. H. Drew, of Wanganui. The
Birds of New Zealand. 43
only indication of the normal colouring is a small patch of
faint grey on one of the primaries, the whole of the remaining
plumage being a most clear white.
As the unfortunate victim was killed with a full charge of
powder and an ounce of No. 4 shot, the internal anatomy
was so much knocked about that Mr. Drew was unable to
ascertain the sex. He has, however, by careful skinning and
mounting, succeeded in transforming the battered skin into
a really good museum-specimen, a result of which, as an
amateur taxidermist, he may well be proud. This is, I be-
lieve, the first notice of albinism in the Pied Tit.
The specimen was procured at Paraekaretu, in the Rangi-
tikei district, by Mr. Tripe.
2. ANTHUS NOVH-ZEALANDIE.
Settlers’ name “ Ground Lark”; native name “ Pihoihoi.”
Varieties inclining to albinism are known to occur occa-
sionally in this species ; but while travelling through the bush
on the east coast of the Wellington province, I came on a Maori
plantation, and was shown by one of the natives a Ground
Lark exhibiting a tendency both to albinism and melanism.
The following is a description, jotted down in my pocket-
book :—Top of head, and down as far as a line through the
eye, dull black ; the whole of the body and wings, with the
exception of the two outer primaries, were a delicate creamy
white ; the outer primaries retained the normal greyish-
brown colour. The outside tail-feathers, which in an ordi-
nary specimen would be white, were in this case jet-black.
This bird, which was one of the most curious freaks of
nature I eversaw, had been tamed, would come when called and
allow itself to be picked up and examined, as though conscious
of deserving attention on account of its extraordinary and
fantastic dress. I endeavoured to effect a purchase, but
without success, the Maoris appearing to set great store by
their pet.
3. PHALACROCORAX PUNCTATUS.
Settlers’ name “ Spotted Shag.”
Writing of this species, Dr. (nowSir W.) Buller says, © This
44, Mr. T. W. Kirk on the
beautiful representative of the Crested Shag is abundant on
the coast of the South Island, but is seldom met with on the
northern side of Cook Strait. I observed a party of three at the
mouth of the Waikanae River in January 1864; two young
birds were killed in Wellington in the winter of 1865; and
another was shot in the Gulf of Hauraki, near Auckland; and
these are the only instances I know of its occurrence in the
North Island * * * I have never had an opportunity of
examining the eggs, but I understand that three is the usual
number” (‘ Manual of N. Z. Birds,’ p. 95). It will therefore
be interesting to note that I was lately informed, by Mr. J.C.
M‘Lean, that a colony of fifteen or sixteen of these birds
has for more than five years been established ona reef inside
Cape Kidnappers.
The latter gentleman states that he has collected the eggs,
but never found more than two in a nest. In December 1885
there were five nests, placed at equal distances apart, along
the ledge which runs on one side of the rock about three feet
from the top. They were composed of seaweed, and were
but httle larger than the nests of the Mackerel Gull (Larus
scopulinus, Korst.). One nest had ¢wo eggs in, and each of
three others contained two young birds covered with black
down; the fifth was empty. Onthe other side of the rock,
out of reach, was another nest; this also contained but two
eggs. Onvisiting the locality again last December the nests
were found to be more numerous ; but apparently the season
was much later, as there were neither eggs nor young birds
visible, but the old ones were grouped about, and allowed
him to approach quite close before they took wing; their
breeding-place being very difficult of access, it is evident
they are not often disturbed. 'The egg is smaller than that
of the Black Shag (P. nove-hollandie, Gould), and very
dirty. The original colour is pale blue.
Mr. McLean has kindly promised to furnish me with the
measurements of the eggs in his possession.
The Cape is also the breeding-ground of a large number of
Gannets (Dysporus serrator).
Birds of New Zealand. 45
4. STERNA ANTARCTICA, Forst.
Common Tern ; native name “ Tara.”’
The local name of this bird, in the neighbourhood of Cape
Kidnappers, is “‘ The Plough Bird,” or “ Plough Boy,” given
on account of its habit of following the farmer’s plough so
persistently for the purpose of obtaining the grubs &e. thus
exposed,
The Kea has acquired the taste for mutton, attacking and
killing the sheep; the Tara has learned to look to the farmer
for assistance in providing food; it yet remains to be seen
how far civilized tastes will be adopted by New-Zealand
birds, many of which show a decided inclination’ to adapt
themselves to circumstances, although, unfortunately, many
others are fast disappearing.
5. NeEsToR MERIDIONALIS, Gmel.
Brown Parrot; native name “ Kaka.”’
The author of the ‘ History of the Birds of New Zealand ’
has described several varieties of this bird; one gorgeously
coloured specimen he formerly considered a distinct species,
and differentiated it with the title of N. superbus. Further
examination, however, convinced him that it was only a
variety of the Kaka, and he accordingly sank the specific
name. In 1884 I recorded the capture of an almost identical
specimen at Waikanae, and now another, hardly to be dis-
tinguished, is to be seen on view in the shop of Mr. Leardet,
taxidermist. Iam informed that this latest addition to the
long list of New-Zealand birds presenting abnormal colouring
was shot in the Kaikoura mountains.
6. LoBIVANELLUS PERSONATUS.
Several instances are mentioned in the ‘ Transactions of
the New Zealand Institute’ of the discovery of Australian
birds on the shores of these islands, viz. :—
Australian Tree Swallow (Hirundo nigricans, Vieill.) *.
Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia, Gould), by Dr. Buller+.
* Trans, N.Z. Inst. vol. xi. p. 360, + Ibid. ix. p. 337.
46 On the Birds of New Zealand.
Australian Roller or Dollar-bird (Eurystomus pacificus,
Lath.), by Mr. F. E. Clarke*.
Red-capped Dotterel (Charadrius ruficapillus, Temm.), by
myself f.
The species now to be noticed is more beautiful than any
of our previous visitants. The Masked Plover is one of the
Spur-wings, and stands about 12 inches high. The body is
slight, very elegantly proportioned, and the general appear-
ance is extremely graceful. It is thus described in Gould’s
‘Handbook to the Birds of Australia’ (vol. ii. p. 221), and
the New-Zealand specimen agrees in every particular with
the description :—‘ Crown of head and occiput jet-black ;
sides of face, back of neck, rump, and all the under surface
pure white ; back and scapularies light brownish grey ; wing-
coverts grey; primaries deep black ; secondaries white at
the base on their inner webs, cinnamon-grey on their outer
webs, and largely tipped with black; tail white at the base,
largely tipped with black, the extreme ends of the feathers
being cinnamon-grey, particularly the two centre ones ; irides
primrose-yellow ; wattles lemon-yellow ; bill lemon-yellow
at base, black at the tip; legs and feet carmine-red; the
scales in front blackish green.”
The bird was observed in a field at Kai Iwi by Mr. G.
Penke, who at once went to the house for a gun; taking a
long shot, he fired, and the bird dropped, but when secured
appeared quite unhurt, and lived for some time in confine-
ment, refusing food almost entirely, and died, apparently from
starvation rather than from any other cause. It was mounted,
and is now in Mr. S. H. Drew’s museum at Wanganui.
Both sexes possess the spur on the wing, which is a very
noticeable feature, but much more developed in the male
than in the female, and proves avery effective weapon in
warfare. The yellow-coloured mask is supposed to be for the
protection of the feathers of the face, the bird being very
fond of thrusting its beak into mud and sand in search of
small crustacea or the larve of Coleoptera, which form the
staple of its food.
* Trans. N.Z. Inst. vol. xiii. p. 454. + Ibid. vol. xii. p. 246.
|
eee
On the Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 47
II1.—On the Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region.
By Captain G. E. Suexrey, F.Z.S.
Key to the Genera.
a. Tarsus long, much longer than half the length of
the bill, measured from the gape. Inadults the
sides of the head and upper throat bare, with
AERIOS OMENS CUTOAL <4 5. a's nie ovine oie mel atts
6. Tarsus short, not half the length of the bill, mea-
sured from the gape.
b'. Tail square or rounded ; less than half the
length of the bird.
b?. Cheeks and a large wattle on the centre of
PMO MUHTORtUDATO's 2.6 cers! wjegh win, wales msi elsiait, oosiets
c?. Cheeks and throat foaerede
c°, Bill stouter and not so much compressed
at the sides. Generally with a large
CASGIIOM Pat Ne dialereys 5 eR Ec UP we Reonaytos
d*, Billcomparatively more slender and much
Compressed at) LHe SIGeS ios a eer aig een «
ce’. Tail long and strongly graduated ; more than
halfthe length of the bird. 722.0 6.0 ..cce.
1. Bucorvus.
1831. Bucorvus, Less. Traité d’Orn. 1831,
p. 259 . ‘
1847. Tmetoceros, Ca wien, ere 1847,
Proto sp. -s ie Vek
1849. Bucoraz, Senidey (fv. K. Vet. Ak.
Forh. 1849, p. 161 .
Key to the Species.
a. Bill with a large pale-coloured patch near the base
of the upper mandible. Casque widely opened in
dregmirimecluliierm ales! oi. apollo. « nye ekajacetsroevs
6. Bill entirely black, with no pale-coloured patch
near the base of the upper mandible. Casque
apparently always closed in front ............
1, Bucorvus.
2. Ceratogymna.
3. Buceros.
4. Lophoceros.
5. Berenicornis.
Type.
B. abyssinicus.
B. abyssinicus.
B. abyssinicus.
1. B. abyssinicus,
2. B. caffer.
Owing to the great similarity of these species and the
want of sufficient specimens, I have been unable satisfactorily
to unravel their synonymy. JB. abyssinicus inhabits North-
48 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
east Africa and Senegambia, and probably extends down the
west coast, possibly to Angola. B. caffer is the only species
met with in South Africa, and extends northwards on the
east coast, certainly to the Pangani River, and is probably
the only one met with south of the equator in East Africa.
Upon this supposition, which is not yet proved, I have based
my synonymy and distribution.
1. Bucorvus aBYSsINICUS.
Buceros abyssinicus, Bodd. Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783, p. 47 ;
Hartl.J. 4, O: 1855, p. dG)".
Buceros africanus, Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. 1790, p. 143.
Buceros brac, Dumont, Dict. Se. Nat. vi. 1817, p. 201.
Tragopan abyssinicus, Gray, List Gen. B. 1841, p. 65;
Riipp. Syst. Uebers. p. 79.
Bucoraz abyssinicus, Wartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 165°; id.
J.f. O. 1861, p. 261°; Monteiro, Ibis, 1862, p. 338°; Sharpe,
Ibis, 1869, p. 385°; Bocage, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 698.
Tmetoceros abyssinicus, Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hein. 11. 1860,
p.175; F.& H. Voég. Ostafr. p. 480° (part.) ; Finsch, Trans.
FeseVil, p. 279".
Buceros carunculatus abyssinicus, Schl. Mus. P.-B. 1. Bu-
ceros, 1862, p. 19.
Buceros carunculatus guineensis, Schi. 1. c. p. 20; Bocage,
POZaS. 1873, p-.698.
Bucorvus abyssinicus, ? Sclat. P.Z.S. 1864, p. 111°; Blanf.
Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 330°; Antin. & Salvad. Ann. Mus.
Ciy. Gen. 1873, p. 420%; Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, p. leu
Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 1; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen.
1884, p. 101”; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. i. 1884, p. 221;
Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 113”.
Tmetoceros habyssinicus, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 731,
elvi
Bucorvus pyrrhops, Elliot, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. xx.
1877, p. 171; id. Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 2.
Bucorax guineensis, Bocage, P. Z. 8. 1873, p. 698.
Bucorvus guineensis, Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois.
exp. 13:
eases RAG! an 2
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 49
Bucorvus abyssinicus, var. guineensis, Dubois, Bull. Mus.
Belg. i. 1884, p. 221.
? Bucorvus caffer, Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 114.
Hab. “Not found by us in Sambar, but met with in the
mountains of Bogos and Abyssinia, Takah, throughout the
whole of Abyssinia southward to Shoa, in Fazogl, Senar,
Kordofan, and the White Nile district, westward as far as
the Kosanga River” (Heuglin™*); Gazelle River (Antinori) ;
Senafé and Facado in May, Bejook, on the Anseba, July, as
low near the coast as Ain in August (Jesse"). In Abyssinia it
is chiefly found at about 4000 feet and up to 7000 or 8000 feet,
but is occasionally met with at a lower elevation, as I once saw
a bird at Koomali (Blanford*); Anseba and Keren (Antinori
& Beccari”). Shoa, at many localities (Antinori”’) ; ? Unioro
and Madiland (Speke*). It crosses to West Africa and is
common in Senegambia (Rochebrune”’); Gambia; Bissao,
Galam (Beaudouin®*) ; Fantee (Ussher’) ; Accra (Pel*’) ;
Abouri, in the Aguapim mountains (Shelley & Buckley) ;
Camaroons (Reichenow"'); Pungo Andongo, in Angola (Mon-
teiro').—N.B. It is quite possible that the Angolan bird
may be B. caffer.
2. BucORVUS CAFFER.
Buceros carunculatus cafer, Schl. Mus. P.-B. Buceros, 1862,
p. 20.
Bucorax abyssinicus, Gurney (nec Bodd.), Ibis, 1861,
p. 182"; Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 325°,
Bucorvus abyssinicus, Gurney, Ibis, 1868, p. 162°; Ayres,
Ibis, 1869, p. 296'; Gurney, ed. Anderss. B. Damara Land,
p. 205°; Shelley, P..Z. S. 1881, p. 591”.
Tmetoceros abyssinicus, F. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 480
(part.); Finsch, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 3617; id.
iO) 1885, p. 126°; Reichen. J: f. O. 1887p, 60".
Bucorax cafer, Bocage, P. Z. 8S. 1878, p. 698"; id. Orn.
Angola, p. 111"; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s B.S. Afr. pp. 122,808”.
Bucorvus cafer, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 3; Shelley,
Ibis, 1882, p. 245”.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. E
50 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
Buceros abyssinicus, var. caffer, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg.
ii. 1884, p. 222.
Hab. Confined to East and South Africa,
Usequa, Ungu, Ruwana, Mori, Maurui, Bamangwato
(Fischer™®*); Usambara Hills near Pangani (Kirk", Shelley
Mus.) ; Zambesi (Kirk*); Mashoona’’, Transvaal (Ayres**) ;
Natal (Ayres'); Zululand (Gordge, Shelley Mus.) ; common
on the eastern frontier of Cape Colony (Layard) ; East London
(Richard™) ; Ondonga and Okavango River (Andersson’) ;
Quillengues and Humbe, in Mossamedes (Anchieta”’).
2. CERATOGYMNA.
1854. Ceratogymna, Bp. Consp. Vol. Anisod. — Type.
NS5ae pee Soe OR ae Nelatas
1859. Sphagolobus, Op. Niue Hein: ie 1859;
Peele a. 6 ie et oe Catia
Key to the Species.
a. Tail white, with the two central feathers black...... 3. C. elata.
b. Tail black, with one third of the ends of all but the
Contre feathers: Wht, <yeieye oiaioe 0 ssn wiseus 6 faunte a 'e wagons a's 4. C. atrata.
3. CERATOGYMNA ELATA.
Buceros elatus, Temm. Pl. Col. 1880, pl. 521. f. 1; Hartl.
Jet. O. 1855, p. 861°; id. Orn. W.-Afr.p. 1617; Gurneye
Ibis, 1859) p: 153°; Ussher, 1874, p. 51%; Dubois, Bull
Mus. Belg. i. 1884, p. 198; Biittikofer, Notes Leyden Mus.
1885, p. 204°.
Buceros cultratus, Sundev. Gifv. Vet.-Ak. Forh. 1849,
pe loo, oO Eartl. Orn W-Atrap. ole.
Ceratogymna elata, Bp. Consp. Vol. Anisod. 1854, p. 2;
Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 23; Rochebrune, Faun. Séné-
gamb., Ois. p. 118”.
Hab. W. Africa: Gaboon (Verreaux*); St. John’s River
(McDowell*) ; Calabar (Laurein*); Ibadan (Hinderer’) ;
Gold Coast (Pel*); Denkera, forest in the interior ( Ussher‘) ;
Liberia (Biittikofer’); Sierra Leone (Afzelius*); Casamanse,
Gambia, Senegambia (Rochebrune’).
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 51
4, CERATOGYMNA ATRATA,
Buceros atratus, Temm. Pl. Col. 1830, pl. 558°; eae th
J. f. O. 1855, p. 361°; id. Orn. W.-Afr. pp. 162°, 274°; Cass.
Pr. Ac. Philad. 1859, p. 189°; Ussher, Ibis, 1874, “I ole:
Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 1137; Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 18°;
Hart]. Abhandl. nat. Ver. Brem. viii. 1882, p. 208°; Dubois,
Bull. Mus. Belg. iii. 1884, p. 199; Biittikofer, Notes Leyden
Mus. 1885, p. 205”.
Buceros poensis, Fraser, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 2nd ser.
Xv. 1855, p. 186, 2°.
Sphagolebus atratus, Cab. & Heine, Mus. Hein. 11. 1860,
p- 171; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 24; Bouvier, Cat. Ois.
Marche &c. 1875, p. 28; Sharpe, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool.
xvii. 1884, p. 436".
Hab. W. Africa, from Angola te Liberia, and inland to 5°
N. lat. on the White Nile.
Equatorial Africa, near the Bari Negro country, Upper
White Nile at Lado (Hmin Pacha*}; Semmio in the Nyam-
nyam country (Bohndorff™*) ; Cabinda (Anchieta) and Ca-
zengo (Towdson) in Angola (Bocage’); Loango Coast {Faiken-
stein®); Muni River, Gaboon (Du Chaillu*) ; Qgowé River
(Du Chaillu’, Marche); Fernando Po (Fraser''); Calabar
(Laurein*); Gold Coast (Pel*), Denkera (Ussher*), and
Ashantee (Mus. Lugd.*) ; Liberia (Biittikofer"’).
3. BucERos. Type.
1766. Buceros, Linn. 8. N. i. 1766, p. 153 . B. bicornis.
1849. Anthracoceros, Reichb. Syst. Av. 1849,
pie AGS . . B. malabaricus.
1859. Bycanistes, Cal, Muss Hint ll. 1859,
Delilyiciy +, . B. buccinator.
1878. Pratidophalus, Elliot, Moog ee
Geroteple oe, + Sw we ty s Be fostulator,
Key to the Species.
a. Tail with the two centre feathers entirely black,
or occasionally with narrow white ends or nar-
row white bases.
zE2
52 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
a’, With no white on the quills. White of ab-
domen not extending on to the chest ...... 5. B. cristatus.
b'. With portion of the secondaries white. Chest
and abdomen white.
b*, With no white on the greater wing-coverts.
3, Casque large. With more than half of
all the secondaries and tail-feathers black 6. B. buecinator.
c3, Casque obsolete or rudimentary ;_ bill
strongly corrugated.
ce’, White of secondaries not extending over
more than the end-half of the feathers.
Basal half of all the tail-feathers black 7. B. fistulator.
d', White of secondaries extending to their
bases. White of tail variable, accord-
ing to age, always covering more than
the end-half of all but the centre fea-
thers, and in fully adults reaching to
the base, or nearly so, of these feathers 8. B. sharpit.
c?, With broad white ends to the greater coverts ;
casque strongly developed.
ad}, Outer primaries entirely black. With a [ cus.
broad black subbasal band on the tail .. 9. B. subeylindri-
e*. The greater part of the outer and the ends
of all the primaries white. Tail, with
the exception of the two centre feathers,
entirely qwihitey.n tii. eelnn sek sents 10. B. leucopygius.
b. Entire tail, including the two centre feathers,
white, with a broad black central band.
fi. With broad white ends to the greater wing-
coverts. Black of the chest extending down
chemront of the-thighs-" ites 6s. <tc aes 1. B. cylindricus.
g*. With no white ends to the greater wing-
coverts. Entire thighs white .......... 12. B. albotibialis,
5. BucERos CRISTATUS.
Buceros cristatus, Riipp. N. W. 1835, p. 3, pl. 1"; id. Syst.
Uebers. p. 79; Cass. Pr. Ac. Philad. 1859, p, 189°; Kirk,
Ibis, 1864, p. 326°; Sclat. P. Z. S. 1864, p. 111°; F. & H.
Voég. Ostafr. p. 482°; Heugl. N.O.-Afr. pp. 730, clvi;
Fisch. & Reichen. J. f. O. 1880, p. 141°; Dubois, Bull. Mus.
Belg. iii. 1884, p. 200; Fisch. Tetache ges. Orn. 1884,
p. 61°; ad. J. 7. O. 1885, p, 1267; “Shelley,, Paws. sco
p. 224°; Reichen. J. £0) 1887, p2 60%:
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 53
Bycanistes cristatus, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 172, note ;
Cab. V. d. Decken’s Reis. iii. p. 38°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot.
pl. 26; Shelley, P. Z. S. 1881, p. 519"; Salvad. Ann. Mus.
Civ. Gen. 1884, p. 102"; Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb.,
Ores pe its”.
Hab. Kast Africa from Abyssinia to the Zambesi and
Senegambia, according to M. Rochebrune, where, how-
ever, it is not common. The records of its occurrence
on the Camma River, in Gaboon, and in Natal require ad-
ditional confirmation.
Southern parts of Lake Tana (Riippell’) ; Shoa (Antinori);
Uganda (Speke*); throughout Masai-land, at Kilimanjaro
(Hf. H. Johnston"); Schadel, Gt. Arusha Lake, Mkarama,
Masinde, Nguru Mountain, Msingissia (Mischer’*) ; Usam-
bara (Airk"); Shiré and Zambesi Rivers (Kirk’, Brit. Mus.) ;
Bakel, Kita, and the forests of Bakoy and Falémé (Roche-
brune”); ?Camma River (Du Chaillu*) ; ? Natal (Mus.
Kirchhoff’).
6. BucERos BUCCINATOR.
Buceros buccinator, Temm. Pl. Col. 1830, p. 284; Gurney,
Ibis, 1864, p. 183; Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 326°; F.& H. Vog.
Ostafr. p.484; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s B.S. Afr. p. 125°; Bocage,
Orn. Angola, p. 540*; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ‘i 1884,
p. 200; Fisch. J. f. 0. 1885, p. 126°.
Bycanistes buccinator, Cab. Mus. Hein. ii. p. 171; id.
V.d. Decken’s Reis. iii. p. 38°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot.
pe 27seshelley,P..Z.'S. 1881, p. 59:
Hab. East Africa south of the equator to Natal, King-
williamstown, the Knysna in Cape Colony and northwards
to Angola,
Wito, Pangani, Usaramo, Nguraberg, Lindi (Fischer) ;
Kisuani (V. d. Decken®); Melinda and Usambara Mountains
(Kirk"); Shupanga in Zambesi region (Kirk*, Brit. Mus.) ;
Natal (Ayres'); Kingwilliamstown (Trevelyan, Brit. Mus.) ;
Knysna (Victorin*); Talla Magongo, in Angola (Sehuét").
. BUCEROS FISTULATOR.
oe os fistulator, Cass. Pr. Ac. Philad. 1850, p. 68°: Har tL.
54 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
Orn. W.-Afr. p. 162? (part., nec Gaboon) ; id. J. f. O. 1861,
p. 261° (part.) ; Ussher, Ibis, 1874, p. 51*; Dubois, Bull.
Mus. Belg. iii. 1884, p. 203 (part.) ; Bittikofer, Notes Leyden
Mus. iv. 1885, p. 206°; Hartert, J. f.O. 1886, p. 596°.
Pholidophalus fistulator, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 32 ;
Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 1197.
Hab. West Africa, from the Niger to Senegambia.
Loko and Iddah on the Niger (Hartert*); Dabocrom
(Pel’); Gold Coast (Ussher*); Wiberia (Biittikofer’); St.
Paul’s River (McDowell'); Sierra Leone (Linnier*) ; Casa-
manse, Gambia, Melacorée, and M’Bao (Rochebrune’).
8. BucERos SHARPII.
Buceros fistulator, Cass. (nee Cass. 1850) Pr. Acad. Philad.
1859, p. 139’; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 134°; Reichen. J.
1 OnlS7 750.19.
Buceros sharpti, Elliot, [bis, 1873, pp. 177, 179°; Bocage,
Orn. Angola, p. 114°; Oust. Bull. Nouv. Arch. Mus. Paris,
1880, p. 69°.
Pholidophalus sharpii, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 33.
Buceros viti, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. in. 1884, p. 204”.
Buceros fisculator, var., Dubois, t.c. pl. 11.
Hab. West Africa from Angola to the Niger.
Angola (Hamilton®*, Brit. Mus.); Cazengo (Hamilton’) ;
Viti, on the Congo (Dzxbois’); Loango Coast (Falkenstein’) ;
Gaboon (Verr.*); Camma and Muni Rivers (Du Chaillu’) ;
Ogowe River (Marche*, Ansell, Brit. Mus.); Niger (Baikie,
Brit. Mus.).
As the specimen in the British Museum labelled Niger
(Baikie) undoubtedly belongs to this species, I should like
to have examined the specimens collected on that river by
Herr Hartert (vide supra}; but I see no reason why both
the species should not occur there, as the locality where
the Brittish-Museum specimen was collected may be distant
from either Loke or Iddah.
9. BucrRos SUBCYLINDRICUS.
Buceros subcylindricus, Sclat. P. Z. 8. 1870, p. 668, pl. 39 ;
1871, p. 489; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii. 1884, p. 201°.
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 55
Bycanistes subquadratus, Cab. J.f.O. 1880, p. 350, pl. 1’;
Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 28; Bocage, Orn. Angola,
p. 5407.
Bycanistes subcylindricus, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 29.
Buceros subqguadratus, Hartl. Abhandl. nat. Ver. Bremen,
vill. 1882, p. 208°.
Hab. Talla Mogongo, in Angola (Schiitt*). Nyam-nyam
country (Mus. Bruz.). Upper White Nile district (Hmin
Bey)’.
Mr. Sharpe informs me that he never saw the specimen
from Bohndorff’s collection which M. Dubois describes.
10. Bucrros LEUCOPYGIUS.
Buceros leucopygius, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884,
p- 202, pl. 10, fig. 1’.
Pholidophalus sharpii, Sharpe, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool.
xvii. 1884, p. 438°.
Hab. Semmio and Ndoruma, in the Nyam-nyam country
(Bohndorff* *).
Mr. Sharpe only met with one specimen in M. Bohndorft’s
Nyam-nyam collection, labelled ‘‘ Ndoruma,” which he re-
ferred to P. sharpii, while M. Dubois records two specimens,
both from Semmio, out of the same collection.
il. BuceRos CYLINDRICUS.
Buceros cylindricus, Temm. Pl. Col. 1830, pl. 251. fig. 2;
Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 162’; Cass. Pr. Ac. Philad. 1859,
p- 189’; Ussher, Ibis, 1874, p. 51°; Dubois, Bull. Mus.
Belg. iii. 1884, p. 201; Biittikofer, Notes Leyden Mus.
iv. 1885, p. 206°.
Bycanistes cylindricus, Cab. Mus. Hein. 11. 1860, p. 178 ;
Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 30; Bouvier, Cat. Ois. Marche
&c. 1875, p. 28°.
Buceros casuarinus, G. R. Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist.
viii. p. 1871, pp. 17, 437; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1885, p. 851.
Pholidophalus casuarius, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 34.
Hab. North Africa, Gaboon to Liberia. :
Camma River (Du Chaillu*): Ogowé River, in Ga-
56 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
boon (Marche*) ; Ashantee (Pel’) ; Fantee, Gold Coast
(Ussher*); Liberia (Biittikofer’).
12. BUCEROS ALBOTIBIALIS.
Buceros albotibialis, Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 19 (no
descr.)'; Cab. & Reichen. t.c. p. 103 (orig. descr.) ; Bocage,
Orn. Angola, p. 540; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. in. 1884,
p- 202.
Bycanistes albotibialis, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 31.
Hab. West Africa. Myambo country (Petit, Brit. Mus.) ;
Loango Coast (Falkenstein").
4. Lopnoceros.
1828. Lophoceros, Hempr.& Ehr.Symb. Type.
Phys. fol. z 2 ee” oe ee “a erasuins:
1828. Alopius, Hempr. & Ehr. t. c.
fol. aa (nec Alopus, Schénh. 1826,
Coleoptera) .
1831. Tockus, Less. Mette Own: p. 252
1842. Rhynchoceros, Gloger, Hand- u.
Hilfsb. 1842, p. 335 .
1849. Cp nnens: Reichb. Sith Ay.
p. 49.
. L. erythrorhynchus.
L. erythrorhynchus.
. L. melanoleucus.
. L. nasutus.
Key to the Species.
a. Breast white.
a. Head, neck, and upper parts black, with
the exception of the second and third
pairs of tail-feathers, counting from the
outer ones, which are black and white or
entirely white.
a, Tip of the bill with no trace of red.
Lower mandible smoother, and in
adults with an oblique band of black
from the middle towards the base.
Tail with the second and third pairs
of feathers, counting from the outer
rectrices, black for more than half
theirlength: 260% fcgate sees ee eee ee 15. L. fasciatus.
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region.
6?. Tip of the bill always more or less red.
Lower mandible rougher, and with no
oblique black band. Tail with the
second and third pairs of feathers,
counting from the outer rectrices,
entirely white in full adults, the basal
portions often having some black in
the less mature birds, but this black
never extends over one half of the
RMEHERS (5 si -.00 ate Tae ame ome 14. L. semofasciatus,
6‘. Head and neck never black.
c*, Head and throat brown or grey.
c*, Bill red.
ce‘. Tail-feathers, not all tipped with
white. Larger.
©. With no white band down the
wings.
e°, Larger. With no buff at the
base of the bill. With two
pairs of tail-feathers entirely
WHHL a ssve/el vig 3, lave nie ea 16. L. hempricht.
d°, Smaller. With a narrow buff
base to the bill. White on
the tail confined to a broad
terminal band on some of the
POALREES)..F. seialelwe ares owe 16. LZ. melanoleucus,
ad’, With a white band down the
wing, formed by the centre ;
quills being white .......... 17. L. monteiri.
d‘, With a white terminal band to all
the tail-feathers. Smaller.... 18. Z. camurus.
d°®. Bill not red, but sometimes washed
with that colour in the females.
Lower mandible more or less ob-
liquely ridged. General colouring :
above brown, all the wing-coverts
broadly edged with buff, and the
tail with a white terminal band.
e4, Male: bill black, with a buff patch
on the upper mandible and several
oblique buff ridges on the lower
one.
e>. With no casque to the bill .... 19. Z. nasutus.
f>. With a_ well-developed low
casque to the bill............ 20. LZ. epirhinus.
Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
ff, Bill bull... ..¢.Jccbteee eee 21. L. pallidirostris.
d?, Throat white. Bill red or yellow.
g’. Above brown, wing-coverts spotted
with white.
g‘. Bill red.
g>. Head darker ; forehead grey, like
the crown. Cheek and ear-
coverts more or less shaded with
grey. The dark bar on the outer
tail-feather nearly always very
Gistinet). cocina site ecko 22. L. erythrorhynchus.
h’. Head paler; a broad white fore-
head. Cheeks, ear-coverts, and
entire under surface of the neck
and body uniform white. Outer
tail-feathers uniform white in
one specimen, and with only a
slight brown patch in the other,
indicating where the bar occurs
in L. erythrorhynchus ........ 23. L. damarensis.
h‘, Bill yellow.
?°, Dark markings, when present on
the fore neck and breast, con-
fined to shaft-stripes. Bare skin
round the eye grey; bare skin
on the throat generally grey .. 24. LZ. flavirostris.
7°. Dark markings on the fore neck
and breast always present and
contined to the edges of the
feathers, Bare skin of the head
and throat yellow, with no shade
of grey.
7°. The white on the two pairs of
outer tail-feathers partially
crossed by an imperfect dark
band, very much narrower
than the white ends to these
feathers. The outer feather
always with a largish dark
basal portion.............. 25. L. leucomelas,
k°, The white on the three pairs
of outer tail-feathers crossed
by an even broad dark band,
not narrower than the white
ends to these feathers, The
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 59
outer feather with a brown
basal spot surrounded by
WHO i oP ie oak ee 26. L. elegans.
hs, General colouring of upper parts black
and white. The wing-coverts uni-
form black, with the exception of a
few of the centre greater coverts,
which are white, like some of the
centre quills, and together form a
white band down the wing ...... 27. L. deckeni.
6. Breast dusky black, slightly paler than the
head and upper part ....,............. 28. DL. hartlausi.
13. Loryocerros FAScIATUS.
Le Calao longibande, Levaill. Ois. Afr. v. p. 115, pl. 233
(1806).
Buceros fasciatus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vin. 1811, p. 34;
Cranch in Tuckey’s Exped. River Zaire, App. 4, p. 407°;
Jara: Amn. Nat. Hist. xvi. p.'.8o:°; Hartl: Orny W.-At:
pp- 163, 274° (part., nee Casamanse) ; Reichen. J. f.O. 1877,
p- 18°; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. 11. 1884, p. 214 (part.).
Maekas fasciatus, Bp. Consp. Av. 1. p. 98; Cass. Pr. Ac.
Philad. 1859, p. 140°; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 123°; Elliot
Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 50, upper figure ; Sharpe, Journ. Linn.
Soc., Zool. xvii. 1884, p. 4357
Buceros semifasciatus, Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 163° (part.,
Gaboon).
Hab. Angola to Gaboon, and North-eastwards to Equa-
torial Africa.
Angola (Mus. Lugd.°); Congo (Tuckey’) ; Loango Coast
(Falkenstein*); Gaboon (Verreaux*); Camma, Ogowe, Moonda
rivers, and Cape Lopez* (Duchaillu’) ; ? Old Calabar* (teste
Jardine); Semmio and Ndoruma in Nyam-nyam (Bohn-
dorff") ; Kubbi and Tingasi (Emin Bey, Brit. Mus.).
Dr. Rochebrune claims to have met with this species in
Senegambia.
14. LopHocERos SEMIFASCIATUS.
Buceros melanoleucus, Vieill. (nee Licht.) N. D. iv. 1816,
p. 595.
60 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
Buceros semifasciatus, Hartl. J. f. O. 1855, pp. 356, 361’ ;
id. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 163° (part.) ; Biittikofer, Notes Leyden
Mus. iv. 1885, p. 208°.
Buceros fasciatus, Hart). Orn. W.-Afr. p. 163° (part.,
Casamanse) ; Gurney, [bis, 1859, p. 153’.
Tockus semifasciatus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 192°; Reichen.
J. f. O. 1875, p. 138; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 50, lower
figure; Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 558%; Rochebrune, Faun.
Sénégamb. p. 120°; Hartert, J. f. O. 1886, p. 595°.
Hab. W. Africa. From the Niger to Senegambia.
Shongo (Forbes’) ; Iddah (Hartert’) on the Niger; Ibadan
(Hinderer’); Gold Coast and Rio Boutry (Pel'); Accra
(Haynes) ; Fantee (Ussher*) ; Liberia (Biittikofer*) ; Gambia
(Moloney) ; Casamanse, Gambia, Senegambia (Ruchebrune’*).
15. LopHocrRos HEMPRICHI.
Lophoceros hemprichii, Ehr.in Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys.
1828, fol. a a, note.
Buceros limbatus, Riipp. N. W. p. 5, pl. 2. fig. 1"; Fiusch,
Trans. Zool. Soc. vii. 1870, p. 279’.
Tokus limbatus, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. p. 79.
? Buceros coronatus, Des Murs (nec Shaw) in Lefebvr. Voy.
Abyss. 1854, p. 127.
Buceros hemprichi, Finsch, Trans. Zool. Soc. vii. 1870,
p- 317; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 724, clv’.
Tockus hemprichii, Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 826°;
Antin. & Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1873, p. 417°; Elliot,
Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 52; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884,
p. 103°.
Alopius hemprichii, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884,
p. 215.
Hab. N.E. Africa.
‘“A mountain species—Dega region of Abyssinia, from
5000 to 11,000 feet. If I remember rightly, I have received
it from the Upper White Nile and from Kordofan ” (Heuglin’) .
Senafé (Jesse*); in Bogos from Sciotel, Keren, Deghi, Ossa
(Antinori § Beccart’) ; Anseba valley (Blanford*) ; Letmarafia,
Mahaluonz, and Amba karra in Shoa (Antinori*).
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 61
16. LorHocrRos MELANOLEUCUS.
Buceros melanoleucus, Licht. Cat. Rer. Nat. Rar. 1793,
p. 8’; F. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 485°; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-
Afr. pp. 720, clv’; Fisch. & Reichen. J. f. O. 1879, p. 343°,
1880, p. 141°; Béhm, J. f. O. 1883, p. 168°; Dubois, Bull.
Mus. Belg. iii. 1884, p. 214; Shelley, P. Z. S. 1885, p. 224";
Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iv. 1886, p. 147°.
Le Calao couronné, Levaill. Ois. Afr. v. 1806, p. 117,
pls. 234, 235.
Buceros coronatus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vin. 1811, p. 35;
?Swains. B. W. Afr. 11. p. 257.
Tockus melanoleucus, Bp. Consp. Av. 1850, p. 91°; Hartl.
dete ©; 1861,"p. 261”; Gurney, Lbis, 1862)p.. 1572.5 Selat.
PSAS. 1864; p. 111” ; Kirk, This; 1864, p. 327; Sharpe,
PZ. 5. 1870,.p, 149"; id. Cat.. Afr. B. p. 9°; Gurney ied:
Anderss. B. Damara Land, p. 208*°; Reichen. J. f. O. 1875,
pale ?;: Nicholson, PZ. 8S. 1878, p: 3587 3 Bocage,-Orn:
Angola, p. 116°; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s B.8. Afr. p. 127”;
Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 49; Shelley, P. Z. 8. 1881,
p. 519"; Rochebrune, Faun, Sénégamb. p. 119”.
Toccus coronatus, Bodd. Gurney, Ibis, 1861, p. 1383.
Lophoceros melanoleucus, Cab. in V. d. Decken’s Reis. 11.
ES8693\p. 37 3 id: J. ft O. 1878, p. 235%; Schalow, J. £0.
1883, p. 348”; Fisch. J. f.O. 1885, p. 126.
Hab. The whole of Africa south of about 5° N. lat.
E. Africa: Usaramo (Speke*) ; Usanga and Mbaromu (V.
d. Decken*’) ; Kilimanjaro (H. H. Johnston"); Ndi (Hilde-
brandt*”'); Pangani River, Usambara (Kirk*’); Mombas
(Wakefield, Brit. Mus.); Mugonga” and Kium (Béhm*) ; Tan-
ganika (Storms*); Mambrui (Fischer*); Wito, Pangani, Usegua,
Bagamoyo’, and Lindi (Pischer”); Zanzibar (Bojer*’, Kirk’);
Dar-es-Salaam (H. C. Buxton”); Mosambique (Peters.’).
S. Africa: Shiré in Zambesi district (Kirk”); Natal
(Ayres"*); Caffraria (Licht.'); Elands Post (Atmore”’); Genei-
vafontein and Knysna (Layard”); Damara (Chapman”’) ;
Ovampo (Andersson*’); Cunene River and Caconda in Mos-
samedes and Humbe and Biballa in Benguela (Anchieta”).
62 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
W. Africa: Pungo Ondongo and Ambaka (Anchieta” *) ;
Galungo-alto (Welwitsch”’, Brit. Mus.) ; Rio Dande (Sala”,
Brit. Mus.) ; Camaroons (Reichenow"). Interior of Sene-
gambia (Rochebrune*’).
17. LopHocrRos MONTEIRI.
Tockus monteiri, Hartl. P. Z. 8. 1865, p. 87, pl. 5°; Gurney,
ed. Anderss. B. Damara Land, p. 208°; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s
B. S. Afr. p. 129°; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 121; Elliot,
Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 53.
Alophius monteiri, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884,
p: 29.
Hab. S. Afr. Damara and Benguela.
Damara (Andersson*) ; Benguela (Monteiro’) ; Katumbella
(Sala*).
18. LopHocEROS CAMURUS.
Tockus camurus, Cass. Pr. Ac. Philad. 1856, p. 319°; 1859,
p. 140’; Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, p. 13°; Bouvier, Cat. Ois.
Marche &e. p. 20; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 541°; Elliot,
Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 59; Sharpe, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool.
xvil. 1884, p. 436°.
Buceros pulchrirostris, Schl. Ned. Tijdschr. Dierk. i. 1862,
p. 74, pl. 4°.
Tockus pulchrirostris, Sharpe, Ibis, 1870, p. 4857; id.
PrAoS.-1871, p.-604°.
Buceros camurus, Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 18°; Butti-
kofer, Notes Leyden Mus. iv. 1885, p. 210”.
Alophius camurus, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884,
p. 220.
Hab. W. and Central Africa: from the Loango Coast to
Liberia and to the Nyam-nyam country in North-east
Equatorial Africa.
North bank of the Congo (Spencer Shield, Brit. Mus.) ;
Loango Coast (Falkenstein*) ; Elobe, in Gaboon (Ansell, Brit.
Mus.) ; Gaboon (Walker, Brit. Mus.) ; Camma River and Cape
Lopez (Duchaillu*) ; Camaroons (Crossley* & Reichenow’) ;
Volta River and Fantee (Ussher’); Liberia (Biittikofer"’) ;
Sassa in Nyam-nyam (Bohndorff’, Brit. Mus.).
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 63
19. LopHoceRos NaAsuTus.
Buceros nasutus, Linn. S. N.1. 1766, p. 154 (Senegambia)’ ;
Hart]. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 164°; F. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 486°;
Hinseh, Trans.-Z. S: vii. p. 277° 59 Meugls Oms N.O-Air.
pp» 720, clv’; Fisch. & Reichen. J. f. O. 1878, p) 254°;
Hart]. Abhandl. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. 1117; Bohm,
J. f. O. 1883, p. 169°; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. i. 1884,
p. 212 (part.).
Le Calao nasique, Levaill. Ois. Afr. v. 1806, pl. 236.
Lophoceros forskalii, Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. Av. 1828,
fol. z, note, ¢.
Lophoceros hemileucus, Hempr. & Ehr. t. ec. fol. aa, note, ?.
Buceros hastatus, Cuv. Régne An. 1. 1829, p. 446, note.
Buceros pecilorhynchus, Lafresn, Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 257 ;
Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 164.
Tockus nasutus, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845, p. 79; Hartl.
J. f. O. 1861, p. 261°; Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 329”;
Shelley & Buckley, Ibis, 1872, p. 286"; Salvad. Ann. Mus.
Civ. Gen. 1873, p. 418"*; Bouvier, Cat. Marche &c. 1875,
p27; Hartert, J. f. O. 1886; p. 596".
Buceros nasutus, vars. senegalensis et orientalis, Sundey.
(Efv. k. Vet.-Ak. Forh. 1850, pp. 108, 130.
Lophoceros nasutus, Cab. J. f. O. 1878, p. 236"°; Schalow,
J. f. O. 1883, p. 348°"; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii. 1884,
p. 212 (part., nec 8. Afr.) ; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884,
p. 103"; Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 119";
Bischer; J. £. ©. 1885; p. 126.
Tockus pecilorhynchus, Hartl. J. f. O. 1861, p. 261”.
Hab. Southern Taka and Nubia, northward to 17° or 18° N.,
lat.; Sennaar, Kordofan, and the whole of Abyssinia with
the exception of the high mountainous regions ; the districts
of Sobat, White Nile, Gazelle River eastward to the Kosanga.
The coast regions of Samhar, in Danakil, Somali and S.
Arabia (Heuglin’). Ain and Mohaber (Jesse*); Keren and
Anseba Valley (Antinori & Beccari”’) ; Koomayli and Lebka
Valley (Blanford”’) ; Shoa (Antinori) ; Lado (Emin Pacha’) ;
Usaramo (Speke*); Rabai, near Mombas in Wanikaland
(Fischer") ; Duruma (Hildebrandt*’) ; Kakoma (Bohm*"*),
64 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
On the West Coast: Camma River (Duchaillu’) in Ga-
boon; Niger“ (Baikie, Brit. Mus.) ; Quaminfio, near Accra
(Shelley") ; Gold Coast; Bissao and Casamanse (Verreauz:’) ;
Gambia (Moloney) ; Senegambia (Rochebrune™**).
20. LopHocEROS EPIRHINUS.
Buceros nasutus, var. caffer, Sundev. ify. k. Vet.-Ak.
Forh. 1850, p. 108°.
Buceros epirhinus, Sundevy. l. s. ¢.
Toccus pecilorhynchus, Kirk (nec Lafr.), Ibis, 1864,
Poe.
Buceros nasutus, Ayres (nec Linn.), Ibis, 1871, p. 260,
1879, p. 285°.
Tockus nasutus, Gurney, ed. Anderss. B. Damara Land,
p. 206‘; T. E. Buckley, Ibis, 1874, p. 365°; Bocage, Orn.
Angola, p. 118°; Sharpe, App. Oates’s Matabele Land,
p. 8047; id. ed. Layard’s B.S. Afr. pp. 183, 808°.
Lophoceros nasutus, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 47 (part.).
Hab. 8. Africa.
Shiré Valley in the Zambesi district (Avrk*); Kanye,
Matabele (Haton®, Brit. Mus.); Matloutsi River (Oates’,
Brit. Mus.); Bamangwato (7. E. Buckley’); Oliphant’s
Nek (Barratt*); Rustenberg, Magaliesberg, Potchefstroom,
Limpopo (Ayres*); Damara Land and Lake Ngami (4dn-
dersson*) ; Huilla in Mossamedes (Anchieta’).
21. LopHocEROS PALLIDIROSTRIS.
Buceros pallidirostris, ¥. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 871°.
Tockus pallidirostris, Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 117”.
Buceros nasutus, var. dubia, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii.
1884, p. 213, pl. x. fig. 2°.
Hab. Caconda'’*, in Benguela (Anchieta) ; Lake Tanga-
nika® (Storms).
In the original description of this species it was unfor-
tunately compared with L. melanoleucus, with which it has
very slight affinity. The type described was a Caconda
specimen, and a similar specimen from the same locality has
been presented to me by Prof. Barboza du Bocage. On
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 65
comparing my specimen with the description and figure of
the head of Buceros nasutus, var. dubia, Dubois, I find the
two names undoubtedly apply to the same species.
22. LorpHOCEROS ERYTHRORHYNCHUS,
Le Calao Toc, Levaill. Ois. Afr. v. 1806, p. 122, pl. 238.
Buceros nasutus, Vieill. (nec Linn.) Enc. Méth. i, 1823,
p. 305, pl. 10. fig. 3.
Buceros erythrorhynchus,Temm. Pl. Col. ii. 1824, Buceros,
sp. 19, text; Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 165°; Ayres, Ibis, 1869,
p. 296°; F. & H. Voég. Ostafr. p. 491°; Finsch, Tr. Z. S.
Vil, p. 276 ; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 727, cly*;, Hartl,
Abhandl. nat. Ver. Brem. vii. 1881, p. 112°; Bohm, J. f. O.
1883, p. 169”.
Alophius erythrorhynchus, var. leucopareus, Hempr. & Ebr.
Symb. Phys. 1828, fol. a a, note 1.
Tockus erythrorhynchus, Less. Traité Orn. 1831, p. 252;
Riipp. Syst. Uebers. p.79; Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 327°; Sharpe,
Ibis, 1867, p. 192°; Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 328”;
Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. 1871, p. 9°; Gurney, ed. Anderss. B.
Damara Land, p.211"; Antin. & Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen.
1873, p. 417"; Buckley, Ibis, 1874, p. 365"; Bouvier, Cat.
Marche &c. 1875, p. 27"; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 120";
Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 56; Sharpe, ed. Layard’s B. S.
Afr, p. 131; id. Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xvii. 1884, p. 435";
Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. 1884, pp. 108, 262"; Roche-
brune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 121”; Ayres, Ibis, 1886,
p. 289”; Hartert, J. f. O. 1886, p. 5967”.
Buceros rufirostris, Sundev. (ify. k. Vet.-Ak. Forh. 1850,
p. 50.
Rhynchaceros erythrorhynchus, Cab. Mus. Hein. ii. 1860,
p. 166; id. J. f. O. 1878, p. 235%; Schalow, J. f. O. 1883,
p. 848"; Fisch. Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 362; id. J. f. O.
1885, p. 126”.
Alophius erythrorhynchus, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii,
1884, p. 218.
Hab. The whole of Africa south of about 17° N, lat.
Southern Taka and Nubia south of about 17° or 18° N, lat. :
SER. V.—VOL. VI. F
66 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
Sennaar, Kordofan, and the whole of Abyssinia, with the
exception of the high mountain regions. Sobat, White Nile,
Gazelle River westward to the Kosanga. The coast-lands of
Samhar, in Danakil, Somali Land, and South Arabia (Heug-
lin’) ; Rayrayguddy (Jesse*); Keren (Antinori & Beccari™) ;
Mayen, at 3500 feet; Senafé, Samhar, Lebka Valley, and
Anseba River (Blanford"’) ; Shoa ( Antinori”) ; Efat, in Shoa
(Harris, Brit. Mus.) ; Lado (Emin Pacha‘); Dembo,in Nyam-
nyam (Bohndorff*’); Usaramo, Nguruman, Mossiro ( Fischer”);
Taita (Hildebrandt”); Kakoma (Bohkm"™”). 8. Africa: Zam-
besi (Kirk*) ; Tette (Kirk, Brit. Mus.) ; Matabele and Bamang-
wato (7. E. Buckley“); Mashoona. (Ayres); Transvaal
(Ayres**) ; Knysna (Victorin’’). Lake Ngami, Okavango
River, and Ondonga in Ovampo-land (Andersson'*) ; Cunene
River, Huilla, and Capangombe in Mossamedes (Anchieta'’).
In W. Africa : Cabinda, N. of the Congo (Anchieta™) ; Abhor
(Thomson’) and Gora on the Niger (Hartert*”) ; Gold Coast,
Fantee (Ussher®); Rio Boutry (Pel); Senegambia”’ (Roche-
brune*’) ; Casamanse (Verreauz).
23. LoPHOCEROS DAMARENSIS, Sp. 0.
? Buceros erythrorhynchus, Sundev. (nec Temm.).
Tockus erythrorhynchus, Gurney, ed. Anderss. Damara Ld.
p. 211 (part., Damara).
The only specimens of this species which I believe to be
known are two males in the British Museum, labelled re-
spectively Objimbinque and Schmelen’s Hope ( Andersson).
Mr. Andersson, in writing about L. erythrorhynchus, per-
feetly recognized this form, which he well described. He
observes :— I have also met with it in Damara Land proper,
at Objimbinque and Schmelen’s Hope; but specimens from
these two last-named localities differ considerably from those
found in more northern parts.” As to its being a sexual or
seasonal plumage, this is disproved by the very large series
of L. erythrorhynchus I have examined from nearly all parts
of Africa. The white forehead is, perhaps, its strongest
specific mark ; and as Prof. Sundevall appears to have taken
this as typical L. erythrorhynchus, and re-named the really
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 67
typical greyer-cheeked race as his B. rujirostris, I have pro-
posed a new name for the Damara bird.
24. LopHocrROs FLAVIROSTRIS.
Buceros flavirostris, Riipp. N. W. 1835, p. 6, pl. 2; Speke,
Ibis, 1860, p. 244°; Finsch, Tr. Z. S. vii. p. 2787; F. & H.
Vég. Ostafr. p. 490; Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. pp. 725, clv’.
Tockus fiavirostris, Riipp. Syst. Uebers. 1845, p. 79*;
Blanf. Geol. & Zool. Abyss. p. 327°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot.
part., N.E. Afr., nec pl. 51; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen.
1884, pp. 104, 262°.
Rhynchaceros flavirostris, Cab. J. f. O. 1878, p. 2357.
Hab. Confined to E. Africa, between about 15° N. lat. and
5S. lat.
From the hot valleys of Schoho-land this bird extends to the
Bay of Adulis and to Samhar; also collected near Moiet
Schahadi below Mekulu, but not on the coast-region itself
(Heuglin*) ; Kordotan, Nubia, Abyssinia (Riippell*) ; Undel
Well and Rayrayguddy (Jesse*); Abyssinia, from 2500 to
3000 feet in January and February, and from 7000 to 8000
feet in May and June; about Senafé (Blanford’); Shoa
(Antinori®); Efat in Shoa (Harris, Brit. Mus.) ; Somali
(Speke’); Ndiin Taita (Hildebrandt’, Brit. Mus.).
25. LopHocreROs LEUCOMELAS.
Buceros leucomelas, Licht. Verz. Siiugeth. u. Vég. 1842,
tenes
Buceros flavirostris, Ayres (nec Riipp.), Ibis, 1871, p. 2607;
T3795 pocdo:
Tockus flavirostris, Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 9* (part.,S. Afr.);
Gurney, ed. Anderss. B. Damara Ld. p. 210°; Buckley, Ibis,
1874, p. 365°; Shelley, Ibis, 1875, p. 82"; Sharpe in Oates’s
Matabele Land, p. 304°; id. ed. Layard’s B.S. Afr, pp. 130,
808°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. part., nec pl. 51; Shelley,
Ibis, 1882, p. 245°.
Hab. Confined to 8. Africa.
Kanye in Matabele (Hwton’); Mashoona-land (Ayres).
Common from the north of Transvaal through Bamangwato
(T. E. Buckley*); Motloutsi and Crocodile River (Oates*) ;
FQ
68 Capt. G. E. Shelley on the
Transvaal (Ayres**); Umgeni River in Natal (Shelley’) ;
Kuruman (Ezton’); Gt. Namaqua* and Damara ( Andersson’).
Caffraria (Lichtenstein’).
Dr. Reichenow, at my request, has most kindly examined
the type of Buceros leucomelas, Licht., and informs me, with
other notes, that the bill is yellow, and that the dark por-
tions of the feathers of the lower throat and front of the
breast are confined to their sides, and are not shaft-stripes.
This, together with the locality, “Caffraria” or Natal,
decides conclusively that this species is the true Buceros leu-
comelas, Licht.
26. LopHOcCEROS ELEGANS.
Toccus elegans, Hartl. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 86, pl. 4°.
Tockus flavirostris, Sharpe, Cat: Afr. B. p. 9’ (part.);
Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 119°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot.
pl. 51 (part., Benguela).
Hab. Confined to 8.W. Africa.
Moconja, Capangombe, Huilla (Anchieta*) in Mossa-
medes; Benguela (Monteiro', Brit. Mus.). Galungo and
Loanda (Sala’*, Brit. Mus.).
I would remark that the occurrence of this species in
Angola is not absolutely certain, as [ believe when Sala’s
specimens were received that gentleman had been collecting
in Mossamedes. It would appear to me more natural that this
should be a very local and purely S. African form, being
allied to L. leucomelas about as closely as L. damarensis is
to L. erythrorhynchus. Both of these I consider to be only
just separable as species.
27. LopHocEROS DECKENI.
Buceros (Rhynchaceros) deckent, Cab: V. d. Decken’s
Reisen, i. 1869, p. 36, pl: 6.
Buceros deckeni, ¥. & H. Vog. Ostafr. p. 489; Bohm,
Jet O1883, p. 1707:
Rhynchaceros deckeni, Cab. J. f. O. 1870, pl. 1; 1878,
p. 235°; Fisch. Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1884, p. 862°; id. J. f. O.
1885, p. 126*; Reichen. J. f, ‘O. 1887, p. 60°.
Tockus deckeni, Eliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 57.
Hornbills of the Ethiopian Region. 69
Tockus bocagei, Oust. Bull. Soc. Phil. Paris, 1881, p. 161°;
Rochebrune, Faun. Sénégamb., Ois. p. 121, pl. 13”.
Alophius deckeni, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. ii. 1884,
py el?
Hab. Near the confines of Galla an Somali (M. Abdon
Gindi*) ; Brava (Fischer*) ; south to Ugogo (Béhm’), and
west to the inland forests of Senegambia (Dr. Cohn"). Also
towards Masai-land, Usandawa’, Inkaramo, Nguruman and
Walkaland (Fischer*), Duruma, Taita, and Ukamba (Hil-
debrandt*) ; Lamu (Jackson, Brit. Mus.).
28. LopHoceROos HARTLAUBI.
Tockus hartlaubi, Gould, P. Z. 8. 1860, p. sho; Sharpe,
Ibis, 1870, p. 485°; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 58.
Buceros nagtglassi, Schl, Neder. Tijd. Dierk. 1. 1862, p. 56,
pl. 2.
Buceros hartlaubi, Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 18°; Bittikofer,
Notes Leyden Mus. iv. 1885, p. 209°.
Tockus nagtglassi, Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 541.
Alophius hartlaubi, Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. iii. 1884,
p. 217.
Hab. W. Africa: Loango Coast (Falkenstein’); Gold
Coast (Ussher*) ; Liberia (Biittikofer’*).
5, Berenicornis.
1850. Berenicornis, Bp. ane Gen. Av. Type.
SSO pie Olle eter er ls. Jd a) oh Ge CONIOLes:
a, Sides of the head black or faintly marked with
white. Greater wing-coverts and quills boldly
tipped with white. Casque longer, reaching
over more than ? length of ronlitiest See ey Sie 29. B. albocristatus.
4. Sides of the head white or faintly marked with
black. Greater wing-coverts and quills uniform
black. Casque shorter, not reaching over 3
ROTIGEEM OL CULMTOT 4 (cia s w'she aye siratoiel als eel hedsiaiere 30. B. leucolophus.
29, BrRENICORNIS ALBOCRISTATUS,
Buceros albocristatus, Cass. Journ, Ac. Philad. 1850,
p. 185, pl. 15*; Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. pp. 163°, 274 (part.) ;
Reichen. J. f. O. 1875, p. 12°; Sharpe & Bouvier, Bull. S.
70 Mr. E. W. Oates on the
Z. France, 1876, p. 310; Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 18°;
Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 540; Dubois, Bull. Mus. Belg. 11.
1884, p. 207; Biittikofer, Notes Leyden Mus. iv. 1885,
pe 207 ©.
Berenicornis macrourus, Bp. Consp. Av. 1850, p. 91 (ex
Temm. MS.).
Berenicornis albocristatus, Cass. Proc. Ac. Philad. 1859,
p. 189"; Sharpe, P. Z.S. 1871, p. 604°; Bouvier, Cat. Ois.
Marche &c. 1875, p. 27°.
Anorrhinus albocristatus, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. pl. 40.
Hab. W. Africa to the north of the Congo: Louembe
and Chikambo (Lucan & Petit*) ; Loango Coast (Falken-
stein®). In the Gaboon, Camma, Inuni, and Memda rivers
(Duchaillu’), and Ogowé (Marche’). Camaroons (Crossley®
& Reichenow*). Liberia (Biittikofer®); St. Paul’s River
(McDowell’ *).
30. BERENICORNIS LEUCOLOPHUS.
Buecros albocristatus, Hartl. (nec Cass.) Orn. W.-Afr.
p. 163* (part.); Shelley & Buckley, Ibis, 1872, p. 286’.
Berenicornis albocristatus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 385°.
Berenicornis leucolophus, Sharpe, Zool. Rec. 18738, p. 52°.
Anorrhinus leucolophus, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerot. p. 41.
Buceros albocristatus, var. leucolophus, Dubois, Bull. Mus.
Belg. 11. 1884, p. 208.
Hab. W. Africa: confined to the Gold Coast.
Rio Boutry (Pel'); Abouri (Shelley & Buckley*); Fantee
(Ussher ® *).
IV.—On the Birds of Bhamo, Upper Burmah.
By Evernt W. Oatss, F.Z.8.
(Plate I.)
In 1881 the taxidermist of the Phayre Museum of Rangoon
was despatched to Bhamo to form a collection of birds. I
had an opportunity of examining all the skins immediately
on their arrivalin Rangoon ; but as the results were not very
noteworthy, I have hitherto deferred making any systematic
list of them.
Birds of Bhamo, Upper Burmah. vail
By the courtesy of my friend Mr. Leonardo Fea, of the
Genoa Museum, who has been collecting birds at Bhamo
for some time, I have been favoured with a copy of Count
Salvadori’s paper on the birds of Upper Burmah recently
published in the ‘ Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Natu-
rale di Genova,’ vol. iv. 2nd series, pp. 568-617.
The Count presents us with a list of 111 species, chiefly,
if not entirely, procured in Bhamo. On looking over my
notes of the taxidermist’s collection, already referred to, I
find there are a considerable number of birds obtained at -
Bhamo which Mr. Fea had not the good fortune to meet
with. On the other hand he procured many species which
the museum collector failed to obtain.
Count Salvadori has dealt exhaustively with the birds that
came under his notice, end I therefore propose to enumerate
only those species which are not mentioned in his paper.
They amount to 34, and to this number may safely be added
Anser cinereus, of which, however, I have not received a
specimen. It is reported to be very common in the cold
season in the upper parts of the Irrawaddy, and some of my
friends have assured me that they have shot it.
It is to be regretted that so little is known about the birds
of Upper Burmah, considering that the whole country has
been traversed by our troops for the past two years, and that
a large number of civil officers, in addition, are permanently
located in all parts of the country.
1. GARRULAX BELANGERI, Less.; Oates, B. Brit. Burm.
vol. 1. p. 33.
Two specimens, the only ones brought to Rangoon, are
identical with Pegu birds. Mr. Fea procured G. leucolophus
only.
2. DryoNnasTEs RUFICOLLIS (Jard. & Selb.) ; Sharpe, Cat.
Birds, vol. vu. p. 454.
3. Mrcavurvs patustris, Horsf. ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 106.
4. Parus atricers, Horsf. ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 125.
5. Sirra rrontaris, Horsf.; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 134.
72 On the Birds of Bhamo, Upper Burmah.
6. Bucuanea toneicaupata (A. Hay); Oates, op. cit. 1.
p. 220.
7. PRaTINcoLa MauRA (Pall.); Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 279.
8. OreIcoLa FERREA (Hodgs.) ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 283.
9. Uromirrus Fritirerus (Steph.) ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 307.
10. Crnnyris astatica (Lath.) ; Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 321.
11. Mretoruus MeELANIcTERUs (Gm.); Oates, op. cit. 1.
p. 857.
lla. AcRIDOTHERES ALBocincTUS*. (Plate I.)
Acridotheres albocinctus, Godw.-Aust. & Wald. Ibis, 1875,
p- 251; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, ser. 2, iv. p.
This appears to be an excessively common species. Count
Salvadori has pointed out in his paper that certain parts
of the plumage of this bird,were incorrectly described by
its discoverers.
12. Pica pica (Linn.) ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds, iii. p. 62.
Two fine specimens were brought down, and the collector
told me it was not uncommon.
13. Urocissa occipitauis (Bl.) ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 400.
14. Iynx rorquitua, Linn. ; Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 23.
15. Picus macu, Vieill.; Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 33.
16. CHrysoPHLEGMA FLAVINUCHA (Gould); Oates, op. cit.
li. p. 43,
17. DicHocrRros Bicornis (Linn.) ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 87.
18. Crrcus arveinosus (Linn.) ; Oates, op. cit. ii. p. 176.
19. Hatrazrus Leucorypuus (Pall.) ; Oates, op. cit. ii.
p- 200.
20. Pernis pritoruyNncuvs (Temm.); Oates, op. cit. ii.
p. 207.
* [We are pleased to be able to give a figure of this interesting species
from the type-specimen kindly lent to us by Col. Godwin-Austen for
this purpose. This agrees very fairly with a skin forwarded by Mr,
Oates, which he has desired us to present to the British Museum.—Epp. |
On the Birds of Teneriffe. 73
21. MickoHIERAx c#RULEScENS (Linn.); Oates, op. cit.
vag OF
22. Pwatacrocorax PyGMm&us (Pall.); Oates, op. cit. il.
p. 234.
23. ArpEA insignis, Hodgs.; Oates, op. cit. 11. p. 245.
24, ARDEA CINEREA, Linn. ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 243.
25. XENORHYNCHUs asiatTicus (Lath.) ; Oates, op. cit. 11.
p. 264.
26. Dissura Episcopus (Bodd.) ; Oates, op, cit. 11. p. 265.
27. Taporna casarca (Linn.) ; Oates, op. cit. 11. p. 277.
28. Darita acuta (Linn.) ; Oates, op, cit. 1. p. 279.
29, CHETTUSIA CINEREA (Bl,); Oates, op. cit. i. p. 372,
30. GALLINAGO sTeNURA (Kuhl) ; Oates, op. cit. 11. p. 383.
31, Larus icutHyaktus (Pall.); Oates, op. cit. 1. p. 414.
32. SreRNA SEENA, Sykes ; Oates, op. cit. i. p. 428.
33. STERNA MELANOGASTER, Temm.; Oates, op. cit.il. p.424.
34, RHyYNCHOPS ALBICOLLIS, Swains.; Oates, op. cit. ii.
p. 436.
V.—Notes on the Birds of Teneriffe.
By Capt. Savire G. Rerp, R.E.
[Concluded from vol. v. page 435. }
No account of the birds of Teneriffe would be complete
without mention of the Grey Wagtail (Motacilla melanope), a
common and familiar resident, universally beloved and unmo-
lested. I found several nests in the stone walls of the
unfrequented lanes on the outskirts of Orotava and in
the steep fern-covered sides of the rocky ravines, or “ bar-
rancos,” in the vicinity. These birds may be seen at all
hours of the day chasing flies on the roofs of the houses in
the town, and are, no doubt, of great service to the com-
74. Captain 8. G. Reid on the
munity at large in keeping down the many insect pests
frequenting the lower levels of the island.
Dr. Crotch informed me that he had certainly met with
the Yellow Bunting (Eméeriza citrinella) ; but I did not
observe it myself, nor did I see, or hear of, the Short-toed
Lark, or the Siskin, though both are said to inhabit
Teneriffe.
I was equally unfortunate as regards the Kingfisher
(Alcedo ispida), which Mr. Godman met with; and the Pied
Flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla), included by Webb and
Berthelot in the Teneriffian list.
The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is a common bird, and soon at-
tracts the attention of even the most unornithological visitor.
I found it fairly numerous in the island at the begin-
ning of February, and there seems no doubt that some few
pass the winter there, many others appearing in spring. These
handsome birds are fond of sitting on the walls or trees in
the vicinity of the ‘‘ carretera,’ or main road, and are easily
approached, either on foot or horseback. I have seen five or
six on the same heap of stones in a vineyard close to the
thoroughfare. They were just beginning to breed when I
left the island, early in April; the only nest I came across
was in the middle of a big stone wall, overgrown by the
branches of an ancient fig-tree, quite unassailable. The
local name in Teneriffe, ‘'Tabobo,’’ exactly expresses the
curious note of the Hoopoe, a very familiar sound to me as
I sat sketching in the barrancos near the hotel at Orotava.
Viera gives as its common name “ Abobito.”” He says it is
not difficult to rear the young, by feeding them on raw meat,
and the old birds also get reconciled to captivity and catch
flies &e.
There is, I believe, only one species of Woodpecker found
in the island, the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus
major), and this, as might be expected, is confined to the pine-
belt high up on the mountain-side. I obtained a pair in the
pime-woods above La Guancha, on the 15th Feb. Its local
name in this place is “ Peto”’; in other districts the bird is
called “ Carpintero,” or “ the carpenter.”
Birds of Teneriffe. 75
No species of Bee-eater regularly visits Teneriffe, I believe ;
but Viera, in his Dictionary, mentions the arrival of con-
siderable flocks in Gran Canaria in 1788 and 1800. His
description is that of the common Merops apiaster.
The migratory species of Shrike which arrives in Teneriffe
about the end of March is undoubtedly Lanius algeriensis.
I was unable to procure specimens during my stay, but
young Baeza (son of my poor friend the captain), acting
under my orders, went on an expedition, after my depar-
ture, to the Punta de Teno, the north-western extremity of
the island, and procured several skins there. These I have
compared with examples of the other Grey Shrikes in my
collection, and have come to the conclusion that they are
L. algeriensis. This identification endorses the opinion of
Sharpe and Dresser (‘ Birds of Europe,’ vol. ui. p. 389),
who predicted that this form would prove to be the one occur-
ring in the Canary Islands. It appears to be numerous in
the vicinity of the Punta de Teno, where it breeds, but,
so far as I could ascertain, it is comparatively rare on the
eastern side of the island.
There are but two game birds to be found in any numbers
in Teneriffe, the Barbary Partridge (Caccabis petrosa) and
the Quail. Woodcocks are resident in the ravines high up
on the mountain, but are too rare to afford sport to the native
“ cazadores,’’ and Snipe are never met with in any numbers
in the winter, owing to the want of suitable places for
them.
The Partridge is tolerably numerous in the upper and
rougher portions of the island; but, from what I could hear,
no big bags are made, owing to the difficult nature of the
ground and the well-known running powers of the bird. I
saw a good many during my ornithological rambles, and shot
two or three, for identification, in magnificent plumage. They
are most plentiful on the southern slopes, near Vilaflor,
whence I have some eggs, presented to me by my friend Don
Ramon Gomez, taken about the Ist April. Baeza repeatedly
assured me that he had been Partridge-shooting on the north
side of Gran Canaria, the island nearest to Teneriffe on the
76 Captain 8. G. Reid on the
east side, and that the species found there was the, Red-legged
Partridge (C. rufa). I made many inquiries about this, and,
onthe whole, am inclined to believe his statement, which I
hope to see verified at no very distant date.
It is quite possible that C. rufa has been introduced into
Gran Canaria; but it will be somewhat curious if it is the
only species occurring there, and C. petrosa the only one in
Teneriffe.
Viera says of the “ Perdiz,” that it is common to both
Canaria and Teneriffe, and has been introduced without suc-
cess into Palma. In his description of the bird he says it has
the neck and gorge bordered with dark spots (manchitas os-
euras). Whether this applies to C. rufa or to C. petrosa seems
uncertain, but I should say the former, for C. petrosa has
white spots on a chocolate or rich red ground.
Quails are resident in numbers in Teneriffe, and very good
sport is to be had, especially near Tacoronte and Laguna, in
the months of August and September. A moderate shot is
dissatisfied with less than 20 couple, I am informed, and many
thousands must be killed every year. Still they do not
appear to diminish in numbers, and during the months of
February and March I was constantly putting them up in
the maize- and wheat-fields, whilst their curious triple note
was to be heard on all sides.
I, of course, saw nothing of the Bustard of the eastern
islands—the Houbara (Otis undulata). It is not found
except in Fuerteventura, where it is apparently common, and
in Lanzarote, where it is scarce or accidental. I saw a pair
of eggs in the museum at Tacoronte, which were small edi-
tions of those of O. tarda. There seems to be no doubt about
the species, but I should much like te have obtained a
specimen,
Under the name “ polla de agua,” Viera, in his Dictionary
(1799), describes the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), and
states that it has occurred occasionally in Gran Canaria; but
I do not think it has been obtained in Teneriffe. He also
mentions the Common Coot (Fulica atra) as occurring and
breeding in Gran Canaria. It is certainly found in Teneriffe,
Birds of Teneriffe. i
for I saw a live bird in Tacoronte in February, which had
been captured in the vicinity, and was looking healthy and
comfortable in a big cage. The hospitable owner informed
me that a few came every year to the island.
I cannot include the ‘ Ganga,” or Sand Grouse of Fuer-
teventura (Pterocles arenarius),in my list; but I may mention
that Viera, who calls it Lagopus pyrenaica, Linn., gives, in
his Dictionary, a description of a Pterocles as follows :—
“A bird of the family of the Gallinules, and of the size of
a Partridge, whose beak is nearly straight, with the nostrils
at the base of the upper mandible united to the feathers of
the forehead. Its wings are long. From the tail start two
feathers half as long again as the others, getting gradually
thinner till they terminate in a point. The head, neck, and
shoulders show several points and spots, which are black,
greenish and red, while the lower portion of the body is
black. The feet are ashy, covered with a feathery down,
claws black. On the throat are three black lines, like a
necklace. It breeds in the island of Fuerteventura.”
This description would seem to apply to Pterocles alchata,
except that the abdomen is given as black, as in P. arenarius.
Perhaps both species have occurred, and the description has
thus got somewhat mixed. (See Dresser’s ‘ Birds of Europe,’
vol. vu. pp. 63 & 70.)
Viera carefully describes the Courser (Cursorius gallicus) of
the eastern islands under the expressive name of “ Engafia-
muchachos ” (Anglicé “ Cheat-the-boys”’), from its habit of
squatting and permitting a near approach, and then running
off like a greyhound, to the great disappointment of its would-
be captor. I need not say that this sand-loving bird is not
found in the rocky island of Teneriffe.
The Stone Curlew (Gidicnemus scolopax) occurs sparingly
in the few suitable spots in Teneriffe, and breeds near Oro-
tava. I have eggs taken there in a comparatively level piece
of corn-field near the Botanical Gardens. I saw one or two
there, and also heard the note of the bird near Buena Vista.
Viera describes the Golden Plover as occurring in flocks
in the rainy season, but I failed to obtain any information
78 Captain S. G. Reid on the
about it in Teneriffe. The Lapwing undoubtedly visits the
island, and Don R. Gomez has two examples in his museum,
obtained near Orotava. He also had a specimen of the
Ringed Plover (Mgialitis hiaticula), which he kindly gave to
me, and informed me that the bird is not uncommonly met
with along the shore. Viera appears to allude to it under
the name of “ chorlito de collar.”
I did not come across the Turnstone, Woodcock, or Snipe
during my stay.
I saw a single Common Sandpiper (Tringoides hypoleucus)
on the shore near Orotava on the 5th February, and this was
the only representative of the Scolopacide I met with. Many
other species occur, however; for Don R. Gomez has local
specimens of the Curlew and the Redshank in his collection,
and Juan Baeza has recently sent me a Curlew, a Ruff (Ma-
chetes pugnax), and a Curlew Sandpiper (Tringa subarquata),
obtained by himself near Orotava.
I was rather surprised at the absence of all species of
Cormorant from the very suitable coasts of Teneriffe near
Orotava, and equally surprised to find the Common Heron
(Ardea cinerea) in pairs on the rocks there. I imagine it must
breed in the cliffs, as it does in other parts of the world, but
I was unable to ascertain this fora fact. Viera’s Dictionary
contains a description of this bird as follows :— Garza
(Ardea). A well-known bird, which is seen on the sea-shore
and by the pools in our islands, a visitor from the neigh-
bouring coasts of Africa; they always appear in pairs.”
He then gives an account of two other Herons, which he
calls “Garza cangrejera” (Cancrophagus) and “ Garzeta ”
(Ardea alba minor). A specimen of the former, taken at the
lake (now drained) at Laguna, in Teneriffe, appears, from
his description, to have been a Squacco (A. ralloides), while
the latter, which he describes from an example obtained in
Gran Canaria, and speaks of as not uncommon, is probably
A, bubulcus, the Buff-backed Heron. I did not meet with
either, but Gomez has a local specimen of A. ralloides in his
museum.
The Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) has occurred in Tene-
Birds of Teneriffe. 79
riffe, one having been obtained by Gomez near Orotava.
Unfortunately the bill is the only portion he has preserved,
but he described the bird to me, and there is no doubt that it
may be safely added to the Teneriffian list.
The Anatidz are out of place in an island like Teneriffe,
now that the ancient lake at Laguna is a thing of the past.
It must have been a grand place for all sorts of wild-fowl in
the old days, but now, alas! there is nothing left but a small
square tank, full of frogs and weeds, to mark the site of the
former extensive sheet of water. I paid a visit to this miser-
able relic of the good old times, and left the spot a sadder,
if not a wiser, ornithologist.
Viera talks of Ducks, which he calls ‘ Patos berberiscos.’’
and which appear to have been the Common Wild Duck
(Anas boschas).
I have often wondered what species were included amongst
the Wild-fowl the Governor’s Peregrines were bullying on
the lake at the time he was amusing himself in watching the
“chasse” from the citadel of Laguna (see ‘The Ibis,’
1887, p. 430). A real good marshy lake in the Canary
Islands would be something to dream of.
The country people spoke to me of Ducks as appearing
occasionally in winter, generally flying overhead, but they
could give me no information as to the species. A Duck isa
Duck, and nothing more, in this rocky island.
The Common Tern (Sterna fluviatilis) is of frequent occur-
rence in the summer months in Teneriffe. I have received
both skins and eggs from Gomez, though I never saw it
myself, nor did I come across any other Terns during my
stay. Doubtless several species are found in the eastern
islands and detached rocks adjoining them, where there are
many suitable breeding-places for all sorts of sea-birds.
Gulls were numerous at Santa Cruz when we landed there,
on the 4th February, but apparently of only two species, the
Lesser Black-backed (Larus fuscus) and a Herring Gull, which
I then recorded as L. argentaius, but which, from subsequent
observations, made at the same place on my return, [
believe to have been L. cachinnans, the Yellow-legged Her-
80 Captain S. G. Reid on the
ring Gull. There was alarge gathering of these Gulls off the
Mole on the 8th April, when we were waiting for the steamer
to arrive and take us home, and I watched them carefully
through my telescope for some time. ‘Their legs were un-
doubtedly yellow, and I cannot but think they were L. cachin-
nans. Probably both species oceur.
The Kittiwake was frequently to be seen off the shore at
Orotava, and Gomez has a specimen in his collection. Mr.
Godman thinks this Gull may breed on the rocky coasts of
Teneriffe ; and I should say this was more than probable,
though I found the information to be obtained from the
natives as to the various species of Gulls, Terns, and Shear-
waters was, to say the least of it, misleading.
Of the Shearwaters and Petrels I obtamed examples of
four different species, Puffinus kuhli, P. anglorum, P. obscurus ,
and Oceanites marinus, Lath.; but I did not meet with Bul-
wer’s Petrel (Bulweria columbina), which does not, I fancy,
range so far to the westward as Teneriffe, though, owing to
its nocturnal habits, it might easily escape observation.
Early in Marcha friend, much addicted to deep-sea fishing
off the port of Orotava, mformed me that there were con-
stantly hundreds of sea-birds of some sort round his boat all
day long, evidently engaged, like himself, in fishing. My
curiosity was roused, and on the 19th of that month, when
the sea looked tolerably smooth, I embarked with a small
party of friends, and young Baeza, in a substantial fishing-
boat in search of specimens. The treacherous ocean belied
its peaceful appearance, however, and we all felt remarkably
uncomfortable in a very shert time ; but we stuck to our ship
manfully, and long enough for me to get what I wanted.
It really was worth all the discomfort, so far as I myself was
concerned, to see such a sight :—hundreds of Puffinus kuhli
and P. anglorum on the wing and in mixed flocks on the sur-
face of the water, so busily engaged in their onslaught on
the shoals of fish that they hardly took any notice of us,
We shot three or four of each species, and then turned our
boat’s head for the shore, where we landed and unanimously
bp
/
decided to remain until our evil destiny compelled us to ©
Birds of Teneriffe. 81
return once more to England! My experience of the Pro-
cellariidz is small, and I never imagined they were to be
found in such numbers and to be so easily obtained. I do not
think there were more than the two species I have mentioned.
We inspected them as carefully as the violent tossings of the
boat would allow, through my binoculars, and both Major
Loyd (a good observer) and myself came to this conclusion.
Juan Baeza has recently sent me the egg of a large Shear-
water, but with no information as to where it was obtained.
I presume it comes from Teneriffe itself, and is the egg of
p> P. kuhli. It measures 2°83 by 1:97 inches, being somewhat
larger than eggs of this bird in my collection from the island
of Filfla, near Malta.
Gomez has a specimen of the Dusky Shearwater (Puffinus
obscurus) in his museum, and he kindly gave me one in the
flesh, picked up on the shore at Orotava on the 15th March.
It undoubtedly breeds in the western detached islets. I
cannot understand why this bird is omitted by Mr. Dresser
from the European list. It has been obtained within British
limits, and surely the numbers occurring and breeding in the
Atlantic islands—Madeira, the Desertas, Porto Santo, the
Canaries, &c.—would entitle it to be regarded as something
more than a straggler from the American coasts.
A boy brought me a live example of an interesting little
Petrel, Oceanites marinus, Lath., on the 20th March. It
had been knocked over with a fishing-rod the previous even-
ing. I was quite puzzled by its appearance, and could not
determine its species; but my friend Capt. G. E. Shelley,
who most kindly looked over my birds for me, identified it
on my return home. He informed me that it has been ob-
tained once or twice in the Canarian archipelago, and is an
African species, though (somewhat unaccountably) not re-
corded from the west coast of that continent, where, however,
it doubtless occurs.
While on the subject of these Shearwaters, I cannot help
mentioning a very interesting fact with respect to the para-
sites infesting the specimens I obtained. A keen micro-
scopist, Mr. R. KE. Crickitt, was staying at our hotel in
SHR veo VOlle Vil. G
aft
82 On the Birds of Teneriffe.
Orotava, and, at his request, I carefully collected examples
of the parasites from my four species, which he subsequently
mounted on slides for his microscope. An examination of
these formidable-looking (under the magnifying - power)
creatures gave the following startling results :—The parasites
from P. kuhli and P. anglorwm are alike, or at any rate very
similar, while those from P. ebscurus and O. marinus also
resemble each other. The latter have no eyes, and belong
to a set peculiar to night-flying birds ; the former have eyes
and are usually met with in birds seen abroad by daylight !
Is this accidental, or is it part of a regular system of nature ?
- I did not meet with the Razorbill (Alca torda) myself, but
Don Ramon Gomez has specimens in his collection from the
neighbourhood of Orotava. This is the only member of the
Alcidee I recorded as Teneriffian. Viera mentions several
sea-birds in his Dictionary; but his descriptions are some-
what puzzling, and I cannot make out clearly what they
refer to.
Though very common, I never succeeded in obtaining a
specimen of the Raven. On several cccasions young Baeza,
when out with me, had an easy chance of securing one; but
one time he did not fire, and another he missed, and so I came
away without one. I was sorry for this, as the bird seemed
to me smaller than the ordinary Huropean Corvus coraz, and
may prove to be of a different species, perhaps C. tingitanus,
the Tangier Raven of Col. Irby. A pair of eggs marked
“Cuervo,” in the Tacoronte Museum, looked no larger than
those of C. corone or C. cornix.
Another bird I was anxious to obtain, the migratory
Turtle Dove, which visits the island every summer, I did not
remain late enough to procure. There seems to be a doubt
as to which species it is, but I hope to receive specimens
shortly and to clear this up.
I have now, I think, gone through my list of species re-
corded in Teneriffe—68 during my residence there, and 3
more subsequently, making 71 in all: not a very large
total, certainly, but not bad, considering the limited area I
worked.
Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. 83
In conclusion I will give the local names for the most
common species, which may prove useful to the ornitho-
logical visitor to Teneriffe. I think these names may be
pretty safely relied upon, though it is almost impossible to
make out exactly to which bird some of these names belong.
Egyptian Vulture, “Guirré”; Kestrel, “Cernicalo” ;
Buzzard, “ Aguililla” ; Kite, ‘‘ Milano”; Sparrow Hawk,
“Gavilan”; Long-eared Owl, “ Coruja” ; Barn Owl, “ Le-
chuza”’; Great Spotted Woodpecker, “ Peto,” “ Carpintero ” ;
Hoopoe, “Tabobo” ; Swifts, “ Andoriia” ; Swallow, “ Go-
londrina”’?; Blackbird, “ Mirlo”?; Ultramarme Titmouse,
“Frailero”; Chiffchaff, ‘“‘Hornero”; Blackcap, “Capirote”’ ;
Spectacled Warbler, “ Ratonero’’?; Grey Wagtail, “ Pispa,”
“ Alpispa”; Canarian Pipit, “Caminero”; Common Bunt-
ing, “ Pajaro pollo,” “'Triguero” ; Rock Sparrow, ‘‘ Chil-
lon,” “ Gorrion ” ; Teydean Chaffinch, ‘ Pajaro azul,” “ Pa-
jaro de Teide,” “ Pajaro de la Cumbre ” ; Azorean Chaffinch,
“‘Pempillon,” “Tintillon”; Linnet,“‘ Millero,” “‘Triguero”’(?);
Goldfinch, “ Jilguero,” ‘ Pintacilgo,”’ “ Pintado”; Canary,
“Canario”; Raven, “Cuervo”; Rock Dove, “ Paloma sal-
vaje”’; Barbary Partridge, “ Perdiz’”’; Quail, “ Codorniz”’;
Stone Curlew, “ Alcaravan”’; Sandpiper, Dunlin, &c., ‘‘ Pa-
tito ; Heron, “ Garza’’; Terns, “Jarajao’’; Gulls, “ Ga-
viota ’; Shearwaters, “ Pardela.”’
This list includes nearly all the species likely to be met
with in Teneriffe. I have local names for others, but they
are either doubtful or simply Spanish translations of the
English names.
-— VI.—On the Genus Cyclorhis, Swains.
By Hans von BERLEpscu.
In a recent number of ‘ The Ibis’ Mr. Sclater has published
an important account of the genus Cyclorhis, which has in-
terested me very much, as I have always given special atten-
tion to this somewhat difficult genus of Vireonide.
Seeing that there are several points in which I do not quite
agree with my friend Mr. Sclater, I wish to direct once more
G2
84 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis.
the attention of the readers of ‘The Ibis’ to this already
much discussed matter, poimting out where my views are
different from those held by the latest authority on that
subject.
Mr. Sclater lays much stress on the form or thickness of the
bills in the species of Cyclorhis. It is evident that in several
species the bill is much moreslender or less high than in others.
For instance, I agree that in many northern species, viz. C. fla-
vipectus, virenticeps, contrerasi, and guianensis, the billis more
slender than in the southern ones. The group containing
€. nigrirostris and atrirostris is still more remarkable for
their small and feeble bills, and in this case the form of the
bill may be well taken as a criterion to recognize the species.
On the other hand, I cannot agree that the southern species,
viz. C. albiventris, ochrocephala, and altirostris of Sclater’s
list differ among themselves so constantly in the form of bill
as Mr. Sclater asserts. As a rule, it is true that C. alti-
rostris, Salv., has the bill somewhat higher and thicker than
C. albiventris and C. ochrocephala; but in my collection
there are several specimens of C. albiventris from Bahia, and
askin from Buenos Ayres of C. ochrocephala, which possess
bills quite as high as in typical C. altirostris, although not so
broad on the culmen as in the latter. What I would point
out is that in the form of this organ much individual dif-
ference is observable, and that it does not seem advisable
to make much use of this difference for a key to facilitate
the distinction of the species of Cyclorhis.
I shall now proceed to point out my views regarding the
different species of Cyclorhis in the order in which they are
given in Mr. Sclater’s article.
+1. CyctoruIs FLAVIVENTRIS, Lafr.
Regarding C. flaviventris yucatanensis, Ridgw., and C. in-
sularis, Ridgw., I am in the same position as Mr. Sclater.
Not having seen these birds, I am unable to form an opinion
about them. The former seems very slightly different from
typical C. flaviventris, and C. insularis ought perhaps
rather to be compared with C. flavipectus subflavescens. In
—
Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. 85
fact, I can hardly conceive any difference between Ridgway’s
description of C. insularis and the latter species.
In the Rev. Am. Birds, i. p. 387, Prof. Baird alludes to
certain skins of C. flaviventris from Guatemala, which lack
the black of the lower jaw. I have a similar specimen from
Vera Paz, which has the basal half of the under mandible
reddish brown like that of the upper, and shows no traces of
a plumbeous spot. ‘The bill, further, is much shorter and
more feeble than in a specimen from Mexico, the super-
ciliary stripe much paler, the pileum much suffused with
brownish, and the olive of the back much darker ; wings and
tail shorter. I am by no means satisfied that this is simply
the young of C. flaviventris. But from Prof. Baird’s and
Mr. O. Salvin’s remarks it appears that both forms are to be
found together in Guatemala. Prof. Cabanis has also men-
tioned a specimen of C. flavipectus with uniform reddish
under mandible.
+2. CycLoRHIs FLAVIPECTUS, Scl.
As Mr. Sclater remarks, specimens from Costa Rica and
Veragua are perhaps separable as a subspecies, C. flavipectus
subflavescens (Cab.). But the points of distinction urged by
Prof. Cabanis do not hold good. The yellow of the under-
parts in the northern form is not more extended, but even
sometimes more restricted, paler and more greenish than in
typical specimens from the south. Nevertheless the northern
bird may be distinguished by the paler greyish olive of the
upper parts, the paler rufous superciliary stripe, and darker
ashy sides of head and chin, and perhaps by the slightly
larger dimensions.
Specimens of C. flavipectus from Bogota generally show a
much purer and deeper golden yellow on the underparts
than those from Venezuela and Trinidad.
+8. CycLORHIS VIRENTICEPs, Scl.
+4, CYCLORHIS CONTRERASI, Tacz.
I have nothing to add to Mr. Sclater’s accouut of these
species.
86 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis.
+5, CycLoruis GUIANENSIS (Gm.).
Tn this species much individual variation is observable, and
there are specimens of C. flavipectus from Porto Cabello,
Venezuela, and Trinidad, which somewhat approach to C.
guianensis, although they show less greyish suffusion on the
belly, and have a lighter tip to the under mandible. The
brownish suffusion on the ashy pileum is an individual cha-
racter, and is found in immature specimens of C. flavipectus as
well as in C. guianensis. I should remark, however, that but
one specimen from Trinidad in Mus. H. v. B. shows the
pileum as clear bluish ash as in C. guianensis, other Trinidad
skins possessing rather a brownish cap, as do the majority
of specimens from Bogota and Venezuela.
Prof. Baird says that C. guianensis has the legs dusky. In
two skins from British Guiana I found them dusky; but in
the majority from the same locality, and in two birds from
N.E. Peru, they are rather pale flesh-colour, just as in true
C. flavipectus.
+6. CycLorais ALBIVENTRIS, Scl.
Mr. Sclater expresses his opinion that C. albiventris can-
not be =C. cearensis, Baird, because the latter is stated to
possess a decided buff tinge on the belly. Now several of
my specimens from Bahia, belonging certainly to C. albi-
ventris, show a buff tinge on the sides of the belly, which is
wanting in others. C. cearensis, Baird, is based on two
specimens from Ceara; but Prof. Baird says, “a specimen
from Bahia is quite similar.”
Therefore I think there cannot be the slightest doubt
that C. albiventris is a synonym of C. cearensis. Mr. Sclater
certainly would agree with me that it is quite improbable,
or nearly impossible, that two so similar species, only differ-
ing in the presence or absence of a buffy tinge to the
white belly, should occur in one and the same locality. In
fact, the buffy tinge of the belly is rather an individual
character, being likewise found in young or freshly moulted
specimens of C. gutanensis ; and even specimens of C. ochro-
cephala differ among themselves in that respect, the belly
Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. 87
being in some of them more strongly suffused with ochra-
ceous than in others *.
I have examined a specimen in the Vienna Museum col-
lected near Goiaz( 3, coll. 12th August, 1823) by Joh. Natterer
(not distinguished by von Pelzeln from his C. wiedi), and have
found it to be quite identical with my Bahia skins of C.
cearensis.
From C. guianensis, C. cearensis differs in its dusky legs,
stouter, higher bill, and the more restricted plumbeous
mark of the under mandible; in C. guianensis nearly the
whole of the under mandible being plumbeous, while in
C. cearensis the plumbeous colour extends halfway or two-
thirds from the base. Further, C. cearensis has always a
brownish cap, never of so clear a plumbeous grey as in C.
guianensis. The yellow of the breast and sides is usually
much paler and more restricted, the belly purer white to a
ereat extent, and without any greyish cast.
The synonymy of this species will stand as follows :—
Thamnophilus guianensis, Pr. Wied (nec Gm.), Beitr. iii.
(1831), p. 1016 (Campo geral).
Cyclorhis cearensis, Baird, Rev. Am. Birds, i. (1866),
p- 891 (Ceara and Bahia).
Cyclorhis albiventris, Scl. & Salv. Nomencl. Av. Neotr.
1873, p. 156 (typ. de Bahia).
Cyclorhis wiedi (partim), Pelzelu, Orn. Brasil. p. 74
(specim. ex Bahia & Goiaz).
Hab. Para (Mus. Brit, fide Gadow) ; Pernambuco (fide
Gadow) ; Ceara (Baird); Bahia (Baird, Scl. & Salv., Ber-
lepsch) ; Goiaz (Natterer).
+7. CyCLORHIS OCHROCEPHALA, T'sch.
Tschudi evidently confounded several species under the
above name when he stated that his C. ochrocephala inhabits
“ Brasil. merid., Buenos Ayres, Bolivia, and Peru”’}; but his
* Although Prof. Baird did mention the buff tinge as a distinguishing
character of C. cearensis, he would probably lay greater stress on the fact
that in C. cearensis the greyish tinge of C. guianensis is altogether
absent.
+ The bird from Bolivia would be C. viridis (Vieill.), and that from
Peru C. gutanensis (Gmel.).
88 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis.
diagnosis certainly applies to the species which Mr. Sclater
and I myself take for it.
Comparing specimens from 8S. Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul,
and Buenos Ayres, I do not find any constant differences
between them.
Syn. Cyclorhis guianensis, Swains. (nec Gmel.) ; C. viridis,
Cab., Gadow, Scl. & Salv., Durnf., White (nec Vieill. !).
Hab. Prov. Rio: Rio de Janeiro (Natterer, Scl. & Salv.,
Mus. H. v. B.); 8. Paulo (Natterer & Duschanek in Mus.
H. v. B.) ; Rio Grande do Sul (Jhering in Mus. H. v. B.) ;
Argentina, Buenos Ayres (Burm., Durnf., Mus. H. v. B.) ;
Corrientes (White, two spec. exam. by H. v. B.).
+8. Cyctoruis wiep1, Pelzeln (not admitted by Mr.
Sclater).
Mr. Sclater says “ C. wiedi of Pelzeln (Orn. Bras. p. 74),
of Parana, is also barely separable.” In my mind C. wiedi,
Pelzeln, is as perfectly valid a species as many others admitted
by Mr. Sclater. It combines the long rufous superciliary
stripe of C. cearensis with the uniform rufous under man-
dible (without any trace of plumbeous spot) of C. ochro-
cephala.
I have examined one skin of this species, kindly submitted
to my inspection by Mr. Sclater, which belongs to his col-
lection. It is a typical C. wiedi, Pelzeln, “ ? ,” collected
near Engenho do Gama, Matogrosso, July 27, 1826, by the
late Joh. Natterer. ‘This bird generally agrees in colora-
tion with C. cearensis of Bahia, having the broad rufous
superciliary stripe extended, as in that species, to the sides of
the nape ; but there is not the shghtest trace of a plumbeous
spot at the base of the lower mandible. ‘The bill seems to
be more slender, the legs paler, the breast and the sides of
the body of a brighter and deeper yellow; the back of a
brighter more yellowish olive-green ; the belly more suffused
with buff or rusty than in C. cearensis.
Unfortunately, I have not yet examined the specimens
from Cuyaba, Matogrosso, and Rio Parana (coll. Natterer)
which are in the Vienna Museum, but I have little doubt that
Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. 89
they also belong to this species, with long rufous supercilia
and uniform rufous under-mandible.
Mr. von Pelzeln unfortunately confounded C. cearensis
with his C. wiedi, saying in the diagnosis, “ rostro brunneo,
mandibulz basi in individuis nonnullis plumbea.”’ His
specimens from Bahia (Sello) and Goiaz (Natt.) are un-
doubtedly referable to C. cearensis.
Prof. Baird, in Rev. Am. Birds, p. 392, under the name of
C. viridis, describes a female from Parana (S. I. no. 20,
976), which evidently belongs to C. wiedi. He describes
his bird as follows :—“ Bill rather dusky, under mandible
somewhat darker, but without a distinct spot as in C.
guianensis. Forehead ochrey brown, this colour extending
narrowly above and beyond the eye to the nape.”
The synonymy of this species will stand as follows :—
Cyclorhis wiedi, Pelzelu, Orn. Bras. (1868), pp. 74, 137,
138, partim! (excl. specim. ex Bahia & Goiaz), typ. ex
Matogrosso & Parana.
Cyclorhis wiedi, Gadow *, Cat. Birds B. M. viii. (1883), sub
C. ochrocephala.
Cyclorhis viridis, Baird (nec Vieill.), Rev. Am. Birds, i.
(1866), p. 892 (Parana), excl. syn. et specim. ex Bolivia.
Hab. Matogrosso (Natterer) ; Parana (Natterer & Page, in
U.S. Nat. Mus.).
9 (Sclater’s no. 8). CycLoruis ALTiRostRIs, Saly.
I do not understand why Mr. Sclater does not accept the
term “viridis” for this species. Azara’s description of his
‘‘Habia verde,” on which Vieillot based his Saltator viridis,
is as clear as it could be. Inthe French translation of Azara
it is said, “ Un trait rougedtre qui prend aux narines,
passe au dessus des yeux,” and further, “‘ Le bec est rouge
de corail, terne en dessus, bleu en dessous.”
This, I should think, is enough to prove that neither C,
ochrocephala nor C. wiedi, the only species which touch the
frontiers of Paraguay, can come into the question. Moreover,
¥* Gadow refers Thamnophilus ‘guianensis, Pr. Wied, as a synonym to
C. wiedi, but Pr. Wied’s description evidently belongs to C. cearensis.
90 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis.
I have received the very bird from Asuncion in Para-
guay, which proved to be quite identical with C. altirostris,
Salvin, from Tucuman *.
At one time Mr. Sclater+ correctly referred his Boli-
vian skin to C. viridis, Vieill., but more recently he has
transferred that name to the species of S.E. Brazil and
Argentina, which is entitled to the name of C. ochroce-
phala, Tschudi. That the term C. altirostris imposed on C.
viridis by Mr. O. Salvin is an appropriate name cannot, in
my mind, justify us in abandoning the old name C. viridis,
Vieill., about the correct application of which there can be
not the slightest doubt.
C. viridis (Vieill.), then, is a near ally of C. cearensis, Bd.,
but is larger in all its dimensions, and has a larger, stouter,
usually higher bill. The olive of the upper parts is duller
and more of a greyish tint; the yellow of the breast is
duller or more greenish yellow; the abdomen more suffused
with rusty.
Its synonymy is :—Azara, “ Habia verde,” no. 89, undé
Saltator viridis, Vieill., Enc. Méth. ii. (1820), p. 793 (typ.
ex Paraguay).
Laniagra guianensis, VOrb. & Lafr. Synops. Av. 1. (1837),
p- 9; @Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 160 (Corrientes, Arg.: Chiquitos,
Yungas, Ayupaya, & Rio Grande, Bolivia).
Cyclorhis viridis, Scl. P. Z.S. 1858, p. 448 (Paraguay &
Bolivia) ; id. Cat. Coll. Am. B. p. 46, no. 280 (Bolivia) ;
Baird (part.), Rev. Am. B. 1. p. 892 (Boliv. ex Sclater).
Cyclorhis altirostris, Salv. Ibis, 1880, p. 352 (typ. ex Salta).
Hab. Paraguay (Azara & Rohde); N. Argentina, Salta
(Durnford, Mus. Salv. & Godm.); Tucuman (Schulz, Mus.
H. v. B.); Bolivia (Mus. Sclater & @ Orbigny).
PP)
10 (Scl. no. 9). Cyctoruis nicrirostris, Lafr.
11 (Scl. no. 10). Cyctoruts arrrrostris, Scl.
It is difficult to form an opinion about this new species, as
the specimen described is evidently in immature plumage ;
* Cf. Berl. Journ. f. Orn. 1887, p. 5.
T Sel. Cat. Coll. Am. Birds, p. 46, no, 280.
Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis. oI
but I may remark that a young bird of C. virenticeps, Scl.,
in my collection, has the upper and under mandible uniform
blackish, thus differing from adults of that species, which
have the upper mandible pale-coloured. May not the colora-
tion of the bill in the new species be due to immaturity also ?
Otherwise the affinities of the new species are certainly with
C. nigrirostris, as Sclater remarks, not with C. virenticeps.
In consequence of what I have said in the preceding pages,
the species of Cyclorhis should, according to my views, stand
as follows :—
+1. Cyctoruis FLAvIvEeNTRIS, Lafr, S. Mexico, Guate-
mala.
+ ?1]1 a. CycLoRHIS FLAVIVENTRIS YUCATANENSIS, Ridgw.
Yucatan.
+ 2. CycLoruts FLavirpectus, Scl. Colombia, Venezuela,
Trinidad.
+ 2a. CycLORHIS FLAVIPECTUS SUBFLAVESCENS (Cab.). Costa
Rica, Veragua.
+26. CycLoruis insuLARis, Ridgw. Cozumel Isl.
+ 3. CycLoruls GUIANENSIS (Gmel.). Cayenne, Brit. Guiana,
Amazonia sup. (et infer. ?).
+4, CycLORHIS CEARKENSIS, Baird. Brasil. or. (Para? to
Bahia), Goiaz.
~+5. Cychorwis viripis (Vieill.). Paraguay, Tucuman,
Salta, Bolivia.
+ 6. Cyctoruis wiEp1, Pelzeln. Matogrosso, Parana.
+7. CycLoruis ocHRocEePHata, Tschud. Rio Janeiro, Rio
Grande do Sul, Argentina or. & oce.
+ 8. CycLorHIS VIRENTICEPS, Scl. Ecuador occ., Peru sept.
oce.
, 9. CycLoRHIs CONTRERASI, Tacz. Peru sept. in montibus.
+10. CycLoruis nicrirostRis, Lafr. Bogota, Antioquia.
+?11. Cycroruts arrirostris, Scl. Ecuador.
According to my views the following key for determining
the species of Cyclorhis would be the most natural one :—
92 Hans von Berlepsch on the Genus Cyclorhis.
A. Bill stout, upper mandible pale.
N.B.—The young of C. virenticeps is an exception.
a. Base of lower mandible more or less plumbeous *.
a’, Belly yellow like breast.
a’. Lower parts intense yellow ...... 1. flaviventris.
6". Lower parts pale yellow.......... la. flaviv. yucatanensis ?
b'. Belly white, greyish white, or ochra-
ceous.
c''. Pileum pure cinereous in adults,
suffused with brownish in imma-
ture plumage. Legs flesh-
coloured or dusky.
d'’, Belly nearly pure or rusty white.
Legs always flesh-coloured.
e"”". Upper parts bright yellowish
olive; supercilia deep chest-
nut; sides of head and chin
Bslby WHItC!, ccs .a ses cate 2. flavipectus.
f''". Upper parts greyish olive;
supercilia bright rufous;
sides of head and chin ¢ 2a. flavip. subflavescens.
darker cinereous { 95, tnsularis P
e'''. Belly suffused with ashy; legs
sometimes dusky .......... 3. guianensis.
d". Pileum always suffused with brown-
ish ; legs dusky plumbeous.
g'". Smaller,bill moderately stout. 4. cearensis.
h''", Larger, bill very stout...... 5. viridis.
e". Pileum mostly green; legs pale
flesh-coloured.
OPOuOn cece ec
2", Pileum uniform green ...... 8. verenticeps.
k'"'", Pileum green mixed with
CHESthUth. |. hens ceakiet cae 9. contrerast.
b. Base of lower mandible never plumbeous ;
bill uniform reddish,
c'. Rufous superciliary stripe ending above
EWG CVO let sila aban canals eceiale atone eee 7. ochrocephala,
d’. Rufous superciliary stripe protracted
to the sides of the occiput or nape.. 6. wedi.
B. Bill small, upper mandible always black.
c. Bill black, basal third of lower mandible
Hesh=coloured ieee tila: ce see einem 10. nigrirostris.
ni rotbeeertay ceteris tenepeettegs Ll. atrirostris ?
* Some specimens of C. flaviventrts and C. flavip. subflavescens,
perhaps immature birds, lack the plumbeous on the base of the under
mandible,
On the Acanthizee of Tasmania. 93
VII.—Remarks on the Acanthizze of Tasmania.
By Colonel W. V. Luaes, R.A., F.Z.8.
Tue largest species of the so-called “ Acanthizas” of Tas-
mania is the Acanthiza magna of Gould, figured as a Seri-
cornis in his Supplement, and described later in his ‘ Hand-
book,’ vol. i. p. 373, as an Acanthiza. A comparison of this
species with its Tasmanian allies, the members of the genus
Acanthiza, and with Sericornis humilis, has led me to the con-
clusion that the structure of its bill and wing warrant its
separation from these latter genera, and I therefore propose
a new genus for its reception, which I call Acanthornis.
The bill in Acanthornis is distinctly curved throughout,
and is also laterally compressed, while the bills in Acan-
thiza and Sericornis are straight and wide at the base,
and less compressed than in the former. The wing in
Acanthornis is also rounded, and the primaries curved, form-
ing a typically hollow Timeline wing; the second and third
quills are proportionately shorter than the same in Acanthiza,
and the fourth is likewise shorter and not sub-equal with the
fifth, as in the latter genus. In structure the wing of the
bird in question resembles that of Sericornis, which is hollow
and thoroughly Timeline. The following diagnoses of the
three genera show their different characteristics :—
Acanthiza.—Bill short and straight, with the commissure
straight from the nostrils to the tip. Wing rather
pointed, with the quills straight, the first half the length
of the fourth, and the second subequal with the eighth.
Tail with a subterminal black band. Tarsus distinctly
plated.
Acanthornis.—Bill longer, curved throughout, the com-
missure curved from base to tip, compressed laterally
between the position of the nostrils and the tip.
Wing rounded and concave, with the first quill half
the length of the fifth, which is the longest; the
second shorter than any of the inner primaries ; the
third considerably shorter than the fourth, which is less
¢
94 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
than the fifth and longest. Tail with a subterminal
dark band. Tarsus covered with a single plate.
Sericornis.—Bill longer than in Acanthiza, straight, the
commissure straight from gape to tip. Wing rounded
and concave, the wing-formula the same as in Acan-
thornis. Tail shorter than in the two preceding genera,
without any dark bar. Tarsus covered with a single
plate, or with almost obsolete broad scales.
Acanthornis magna is not uncommon on the slopes of Mount
Wellington, Tasmania, and about the edges of forests on
other southern mountains in the island, but from its retiring
nature escapes observation, and its distribution is conse-
quently not well worked out as yet. In a future note I
hope to be able to say something of its habits and to describe
its nest and eggs.
VIII.— Ornithological Notes of a Tour in Cyprus in 1887.
By Dr. F. H. H. Guitiemarp, M.A., F.Z.8. With a
Preface by Lord Lizrorp.
(Plate IT.)
PREFACE,
AutHouGH well aware that the author of the “ Cruise of the
‘Marchesa’ ” stands in no need of any introduction to those
interested in ornithology, I may perhaps be allowed to men-
tion that the collecting tour in Cyprus described in the
following article was undertaken by Dr. Guillemard on my
behalf.
I visited the southern and eastern coasts of the island in
the spring of 1875 in the yacht ‘ Zara,’ but owing to many
delays on our voyage from Marseilles, the uncertainty con-
cerning anchorage, and other causes, I had not much time
to spare before the great heats of summer, and my rambles
were confined to short distances from the sea. Soon after
the British occupation of the island in 1878, I sent out
Mr. W. Pearse, who had been with Mr. Danford in Asia
Minor, to collect for me in Cyprus; but, on the whole, this
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 95
expedition was very meagre in zoological results, and unhap-
pily ended in the death of the collector. I had, probably in
common with many other British ornithologists, been hoping
for some information on the fauna of Cyprus from some of
our countrymen more or less permanently established there,
ever since the year just mentioned, but in vain; and asI am
convinced that the island, if properly worked, could show at
least as long a list of birds as any district of equal area
washed by the Mediterranean, I requested Dr. Guillemard
to see what he could do there. I am very glad to say that
he is about to start very shortly on a second collecting expe-
dition to Cyprus, and I hope, with the permission of the
Editors, to present the readers of ‘The Ibis’ before very
long with a detailed list of the birds met with by him,
My. Pearse, and myself.—L.
Bournemouth, Nov. 1887.
Tuost who are acquainted only with the more western
islands of the Mediterranean—Corsica, with its snow-capped
peak of Monte Rotondo peeping from above the pine-groves ;
Sicily, with Taormina, the champion view of Europe ; Corfu,
the richness of whose verdure is hardly to be surpassed even
by Madeira—will be more than disappointed with the first
view of Cyprus. They may consider themselves fortunate if
their first port should chance to be Limassol. The long row
of white houses, dotted here and there with date-palms; the
tent-besprinkled slopes of Polymedia running back to the
spurs of the Troddos range; the sunlight dancing on the
crisp blue waters of the bay (and when is there not sun in
Cyprus ?)—all these form a pleasant picture enough; but
the traveller is somehow conscious that the island has done
her best; that she has, in short (may I be pardoned the
metaphor !), got all her goods in the shop-window ; and this
impression is perhaps not entirely removed on a closer
acquaintance. There are, no doubt, charming views in
Cyprus; but they are those where the barren treelessness,
so characteristic of the country, becomes softened or obli-
terated by the charm of distance.
»
96 Dr. Ff. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
Larnaka, however, is another affair altogether. Coasting
round the island from Limassol one gets gradually prepared
to expect little in the way of scenery. The land lessens in
height, and is sparsely dotted with caroub-trees, which leave
the glaring white gypseous soil far too much in evidence to
be pleasant to the eye. Before reaching the port even the
caroubs disappear. A long, low, and perfectly barren pro-
montory, Cape Kiti, is rounded, and then the steamer drops
anchor, leaving the naturalist to wonder whether he had not
better continue his journey in her and leave Cyprus alone.
He would make a great mistake if he were to do so; for the
island, though not the most beautiful, is probably the most
interesting in the Mediterranean Sea. Archzologically
speaking, it certainly is so; but with archeology we have
here nothing to do.
I landed at Larnaka on the 22nd of February. It was
not long before I was experiencing the hospitality which the
English in Cyprus apparently make it a point of honour to
dispense to strangers. In many years of wandering I do not
think I ever met with a more kindly welcome than that
afforded me throughout the island, and I can only wish that
‘The Ibis’ had a larger circulation in Cyprus, in order that I
might testify my appreciation of the kindness of my many
hosts.
In the bazaar there were no birds of any special interest,
though dozens of Goldfinches, many Caccabis chukar, and a
few Calandra Larks hung up im cages for sale. The Red-
legs get very tame and are often let out for an airing in
front of their master’s shop, where they take as little notice of
the crowded traffic of the bazaar as a Seven Dials’ fowl does of
his surroundings. My host, too, had an aviary, or the rudi-
ments of one. A Magpie, his character apparently none the
better for his nationality, hopped warily about the garden,
and had as companions a Francolin and two Striv flammea.
The latter had been caught in Larnaka; but the species
cannot be very common, as I never saw and only once
doubtfully heard it during my stay in Cyprus. The Little
Owl, Athene noctua, is abundant in the town, as it is, indeed,
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 97
in almost every part of the island I visited. It inhabits the
roofs of the houses, and its slight domestic disagreements or
faint cat-like mewings are common sounds of the night in a
Cypriote house. At a later visit to Larnaka I obtained a
good series of eggs of this species.
A walk in the environs of the town on the morning after
my arrival was almost devoid of interest from an ornitholo-
gist’s point of view. I visited the Government Gardens.
The word garden can only be applied to the result of the
floricultural endeavours of the islanders by a person whose
sense of humour is subordinated to that of politeness; but it
is unkindly Nature, and no unskilfulness on the part of the
gardener, that causes the failure. These grounds were per-
haps nearer to success than any others I saw, or would have
been had they been under cultivation; but they had been
deserted for two or three years or more. The ruined cottage
at the entrance spoke only too plainly of the monetary
disabilities under which Cyprus is labouring. The Turkish
debt hangs like a millstone round her neck, and, until it is
removed, all progress, whether in the Government Gardens or
in the affairs of the island, will be alike an impossibility.
Larnaka is a poor collecting-ground, except for marsh-
and lake-haunting birds, and being anxious to choose a good
spot at which to establish myself for the spring migrants, I
started for Nikosia without delay. The road, constructed
by the English, traverses the dreary plain of the Mesorea (or
Messaria, as it is invariably misspelt), the only interest of
which is geological. At no very far distant epoch Cyprus
existed as two separate islands, that to the north, long and
narrow, a single mountain-range two or three thousand feet
in height; that to the south less long, but of greater area—
the present Troddos range. The intervening plain bears
abundant evidences of its upheaval. It is dotted here and
there with low flat-topped hills, and in many places extensive
beds of fossil shells exist. In some of these that I afterwards
examined there were large quantities of Ostrea, Pecten, and
Cyprina.
The Mesorea is visited by Otis tetrax, which is occasionally
SER. V.— VOL. VI. H
98 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
to be seen. n the Nikosia market ; and also, but more rarely,
by Otis tarda, of which Mr. King, the District Commis-
sioner, told me he had once had a recently-killed specimen
brought to him. A species of Pterocles is now common, and
I learnt on good authority that it breeds in the island.
Among the birds I noticed on the road to the capital were
the Magpie, Hooded Crow, Bunting, Goldfinch, Great Tit,
Saxicola morio, and Tinnunculus cenchris, all of which are
extremely common and generally distributed in almost every
part of Cyprus I visited; the Bunting alone, perhaps, con-
fining itself to low altitudes. The Chaffinch, of which I saw
a single specimen, appears to retreat to the hills for the
summer. A Stonechat or two were to be seen perched on the
summit of the parched and stunted bushes, and I remarked
a flock of Lapwings, a bird I never met with afterwards. Of
the extraordinary abundance of the Crested Lark I need say
nothing. At one place a migration of a small species of
Julus was going on, the road being covered with them for
fifty yards or more.
Everyone who has travelled in the East must have remarked
that the Corvidee have a distinct predilection for a town life.
Ravens and Carrion Crows find Nikosia a good hunting-
ground and are tame enough, and around the beautiful
church of Santa Sophia, now a mosque, the Jackdaws chatter
in hundreds. There are few other birds in the neighbourhood.
Vultur fulvus floats lazily in the cloudless sky, or sits at the
edge of the low, truncated kopjes near the Larnaka gate ; and
within the town Tinnunculus cenchris is nearly as common
as the ubiquitous Sparrow; but these practically complete
the list. On the 24th February I saw the Swallow for the
first time, and three days later they were abundant. The
temperature at this date was distinctly cold, for although at
mid-day the mercury might stand at 65° Fahr. in the shade
or even higher, it sank at night to 39° in the verandah.
From the clearness and thinness of the air such weather is
more felt than might be imagined, and though the Greek
and Turkish houses are for the most part without fires, the
English sit round their stoves with the same enjoyment as
they gather on the hearth-rug at home in winter.
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 99
Finding a servant, procuring ammunition from Limassol,
and trying to acquire some information about the island, took
up some little time, and I did not leave the capital till March
4th. I had determined on visiting the lighthouse at the
extremity of the Akrotiri peninsula for a few days, in order
to watch the arrival of the migrants. All travelling is done
in Cyprus by mule, and my first introduction to the native
saddle, which I had resolved on using, was no more pleasant
than such introductions usually are. Over the stratouri, as
it is called—a pack-saddle of good pattern, so far as the com-
fort of the animal is concerned—is thrown a pair of strong
saddle-bags of the ordinary Syrian type. A pair of stirrups,
tied together with cord, is then laid across, and on the top a
four-fold paplouma or quilt. Although there is a girth, it is
never tightened, and the creature’s load, whether animate
or inanimate, depends almost entirely upon balance for its
safety. Equitation in Cyprus appears to the tyro to offer no
certainties but a broken neck; but after a time he learns to
prefer the native saddle to an English “ Peat,” at all events
for work upon the island.
We had hardly left Nikosia an hour, before some heavy
rain-clouds, which had been threatening for some time, broke
over us, accompanied by a bitter wind from the north-west.
The barren, lifeless plain looked dreary beyond description,
and on reaching the Idalia river, a dry, stony watercourse,
as are most of the ‘‘rivers”’ of Cyprus, I decided to halt for
the night. I obtained lodgings at a Turkish house in the
little village of Pera-khorio. Next morning the villagers
brought me a small stone head of Assyrian type, in excellent
preservation, and a tame Rook. ‘These birds do not appear
to be common, as, indeed, might be expected; and I believe
the greater part, if not all of them, leave the island in the
spring.
Next morning the weather was fine, and the wind had
veered to north-east. In spite of the sun, it was so cold in
the forenoon that I wore a thick pea-jacket with pleasure.
Our way lay southward towards Mount Stavrovouni, and
leaving the plain we came into a country of low, irregular
H 2
100 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological
hills, the valleys between which were chiefly vineyards and
corn-land. The vines, however, were leafless, and no sign of
spring in the shape of an anemone or ranunculus was to be
seen. We passed large flocks of goats, which were invariably
accompanied by still larger flocks of the White Wagtail,
each animal having two or three of these birds in close
attendance.
A decided change was visible on arriving at the southern
slopes of the island. Anemones appeared, a few stray but-
terflies were occasionally to be seen (Pontia cardamines, Pieris
crategi, and Gonepterya rhamni), and low bushes afforded
cover for various birds. I saw a tolerable number of Black-
birds, some specimens of Anthus, the Wren, Robin, Redstart
(Ruticilla titys), and the first and only Blue Tit that I met with
in theisland. Atone place [I noticed a solitary Hirundo rufula,
a species which I did not again come across until long after-
wards. Although it is, perhaps, to be found in each of the
Districts of the island, it is very local. It occurs at Fama-
gusta, at the ruins of Bellapais, at Kyrenia, in the pass above
Lanarka tou Lapethou, and near the village of Poli; but at
all these places it seemed to frequent the immediate neigh-
bourhood of its home, and never to go far a-field.
Arriving at Tochni, an old Greek woman welcomed me at
her house in the customary Cypriote fashion, swinging a
small censer around me and enveloping me in little clouds of
perfumed smoke. On such occasions the guest bows, thanks
his host, and making the sign of the cross is thereafter pro-
tected from evil spirits during his residence in the house.
Next day they brought me a lad who was said to be suffering
from the sting of a ‘ sfadayyn”’ inflicted five months before.
Whether the injury was due to this cause or not I cannot
say, but the right eye was completely hidden by an indurated.
and ill-looking swelling of the upper eyelid and neighbouring
parts, and its structure in all probability destroyed. The
odarayyn, a sand-wasp of the genus Mutilla (M. hungarica),
is extremely dreaded by the Cypriotes, who believe its sting
to be occasionally capable of causing death.
On the 7th of March I found myself established at the
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 101
lighthouse at Cape Gato. The headland is said to be so
called from the number of cats that at one time ran wild in
the neighbourhood. There are none now, at least I never
saw any ; but on two or three occasions I came across places
where the ground had been rooted up by pigs. The wild boar,
however, does not exist in Cyprus, and these, like the cats,
are merely tame animals escaped from civilization. The
light is 109 feet above the sea, and is a dioptric of the fourth
order, flashing every two minutes, and visible at a distance
of twenty miles. The Akrotiri peninsula, at the extremity
of which it is placed, is practically uninhabited, and is a wide
stretch of barren moorland, which in the neighbourhood of
Cape Gato is covered with stunted bushes. Here and there
a travesty of a tree is to be seen, with an inclination of
branches sufficient to show that the prevailing winds are
from the west.
I stayed ten days at the lighthouse, and was on the whole
disappointed with the result. The spring migration was no
doubt in full swing, but no birds ever came to the light, and
the lghthouse-keeper, a Cypriote Greek, told me that, ex-
cepting upon two occasions, he had never known a bird
killed. The Spectacled Warblers (Sylvia conspicillata) , flying
with their short jerky flight from one low bush to another, were
tolerably plentiful for the first two or three days; but after-
wards they became decidedly less so, having most probably
taken their departure for other parts of the island. Although
some may remain the winter, a great number of them are no
doubt migrants. In Cyprus they appear chiefly to haunt the
semi-moorland country such as I have just described, and are
fairly common on the great stretch of flat uncultivated land
lying between Larnaca and Famagusta. I have never seen
them in the bush-country im the hills, as one sees them in
Madeira. I was delighted to meet with the beautiful little
Sylvia melanothorax on the first morning after my arrival.
I found them in pairs, not plentiful at first, but becoming
more so before my departure on the 17th March. Although
I shot them afterwards in many different places in the island,
from the sea-level up to 2000 feet or more in altitude, I
102 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
never succeeded in obtaining their eggs, though I believe
that I might have done so on the Akrotiri peninsula had I
remained there till the breeding-season. Lord Lilford, how-
ever, tells me that he was never able to discover the nest,
although the birds were evidently breeding in considerable
numbers in the neighbourhood of Salamis.
Sylvia melanothorax appears to frequent much the same
ground as the Spectacled Warbler. With regard to its
habits, I can add little to the description of Cancn Tristram.
In the male the eye-ring is red; the iris ruddy brown or,
sometimes, yellowish; and the feet and tarsus vary from
dark brownish yellow to ruddy brewn. The female has a
much less bright eye-ring, the iris is less ruddy, and the feet
are paler. The bill in both is dark brown, the proximal end of
the lower mandible being of a pale fleshy-yellow. Length in
the flesh :— ¢, 13°4-13°8 centimetres; 9? , 13°4-13°5.
Haunting the same ground as the above two species, but
so uncommon that I only secured two specimens, was Sylvia
melanocephale. I never saw it again in any other part of
the island, although I believe Lord Lilford found 3t tolerably
abundant near the Karpas.
The perpendicular eliffs forming the southern boundary of
the peninsula were the home of many Gyps fulvus, Rock-
Pigeons, and Kestrels (Tinnunculus cenchris), and ona slab of
rock immediately below the lighthouse, inaccessible except by
boat, a seal might often be seen “hauled up.” Here, too, I
shot the beautiful Falco eleonore, and watched through my
telescope the movements of a pair of Cormorants. When
walking along the eastern coast I twice disturbed Alcedo
ispida from its perch on a small rock at the head of a
miniature bay. That Halcyon smyrnensis exists in Cyprus I
have no doubt whatever, for the bird was well described to
me by two different persons; and Lord Lilford tells me that
he also had credible evidence as to its occurrence. Rather
more curious is the fact that Ceryle rudis is also found on
the island. Its appearance and habits were described to me
in such a manner by Mr. Cade, the present Commissioner of
the Kyrenia district, who had been for some time a resident
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 103
on the west coast of Africa, as to leave ne room for doubt
about the matter.
On the moorlands a few Robins and Blackbirds were to be
seen, and the snapping note of the Stonechat, a bird so shy
as seldom to admit of a near approach, was a familiar sound.
But the one common bird was the Song Thrush, at that
time preparing for its departure. I do not know that I have
ever seen a species occurring in greater abundance than this.
Almost every step put up one, and small isolated bushes
would quite commonly afford shelter to five or six. Spring
at this time might be said to be fairly established. Butter-
flies of the genus Polyommatus and Papilio machaon were
common, and the ground was covered with yellow ranunculus
and anemone. The minimum night-temperature at this time
ranged from 44°-49° Fahr., the diurnal maximum in the
shade from 63°-72°. The wind was chiefly easterly, often
veering with the sun to west, and not unfrequently blowing
very hard. Qne of the chief characteristics of Cyprus, indeed,
is the prevalence of strong winds. On several days during
my stay on the island it was almost impossible to go out of
doors, the dust occasioned by these gales being well nigh
intolerable.
Wandering one day among the scrub, about two miles
from the lighthouse, I suddenly came across some ruins of
great interest, which I afterwards found to be unknown to
the English on the island. Passing over the less important
remains, the chief feature was a chamber of large size (72 by
36 feet) hewn im the solid rock. The top of its roof was
level with the surrounding soil, and the entrance was reached
by a passage, also rock-hewn, with a stiff slope. About
twenty yards to the west was a similar chamber, but in this
one the roof has fallenin. Whether these remains are of
the nature of tombs or temples it is difficult to say; but
‘there is little doubt that they owe their existence to Phe-
nician hands. The Akrotiri peninsula was in those days well
populated. A little further to the west are the ruins of
Katalymata, and still nearer Cape Zephgari lie the broken
columns and shapeless stone-heaps of Kurias. The remains
104 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
of yet another city can be made out on the coast about equi-
distant from these two, and the cliff-face is in many places
dotted with reck-cut tombs and old quarry-workings.
These sites of ancient cities are often the best hunting-
grounds for the ornithologist, and here I shot the only Blue
Rock Thrush that I obtained in Cyprus. When I first saw
it, it was sitting on the top of a small tree. I mistook it for
a Starling, and, although familiar with the bird, it was not
until it flew down on a low stone that I recognized it.
Here, too, on March 10th, I saw the first Hoopoe, a bird
which seemed to me to be far less common on the island
than in Greece. I was assured by two or three people, how-
ever, that it was not nearly so abundant as usual.
Although during my stay at the lighthouse I was on the
alert at various times in the night for the passage of migrants,
I never either saw or heard any, except on one occasion,
when for about half an hour a flight passed over us at no
great height. I could not, however, succeed in distinguishing
with certainty the note of any one species, althongh it is
probable that some of them were Wheatears ; for next morn-
ing (March 14th) these birds, of which up till then not a
single specimen had appeared, were quite common, and I
could have shot thirty or forty of them had I wished to
do so.
The Akrotiri promontory is nearly separated from the
mainland by a salt lake about three or four miles long, which
in bygone days must have communicated with the sea. To
the south it has no well-defined limit, and loses itself imper-
ceptibly in a vast expanse of dead level white sand, the glare
from which is blinding. On this side I found few birds save
a stray Redshank and the two Ringed Plovers ( Agialitis hia-
ticula and At. minor). My only rarity was 4. geoffroyi. A
curious incident occurred one day as I was walking along
this barren shore, the surface of which was so smooth and
flat that a marble would have been noticeable at a distance
of fifty yards. A Snipe got up almost at my feet. That it
should be found at all in such a place was curious enough,
but that it should have escaped observation was almost in-
credible.
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 105
On the 17th March I changed my quarters to Episcopi,
a little Turkish village near the site of the ancient Curium.
Unlike most Cypriote villages it was decidedly pretty.
An abundance of clear little streams brattled through the
streets, and each house had its garden of lemons, mulberries,
figs, and apricots. The latter trees were in full blossom, and
the ground was everywhere strewn with the fallen petals.
Ten or twelve miles away to the south-east I could plainly
discern the lighthouse IT had just left, while to the west the
yellow, hewn bluff of Curium stood out in bold relief against
the blue waters of the bay.
The fields surrounding the village were tilled and irrigated
with great care, and birds were numerous. The gardens
would, no doubt, have been a better collecting-ground ; but
as the owners were chiefly Mohammedans, I could not obtain
permission to shoot in them. A goodly number of caroub
trees (Ceratonia siliqua) were scattered about. They are
planted singly, in the middle or by the side of the fields,
never in groves, and their fruit (the “locust bean” of com-
merce) is one of the most important exports of Cyprus. In
each of these trees one or more Thrushes were invariably to
be found, and the clear loud “ wheet” of Phylloscopus rufus,
and the ringing note of the Great Tit, were constantly to be
heard among their branches. The Linnets (the Eastern form,
Fringilla bella) and Goldfinches fed in great numbers on the
freshly tilled land, and were still packed in flocks at the
end of March. The latter may be said to be the commonest
bird in Cyprus ; nowhere else have I seen it in such enormous
numbers.
I had obtained Phylloscopus rufus on the 8th of March,
but it was not until the 18th that I saw the first Blackcap.
A day or two later they became numerous. ‘This species, I
believe, has been called the “Cyprus bird,” from its abun-
dance on the island. The name is not undeserved, for, with
the exception, perhaps, of Hypolais elaica, it is the commonest
of all the Warblers. About this time the Swallows were com-
mencing to build. Their tameness was extraordinary. While
brushing my hair one morning before an old looking-glass
106 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
hanging from the wall, a pair of them came and perched on
it, pouring out a torrent of song, regardless of my presence.
Another pair always roosted in my room at Episkopi, their
perch being within a couple of yards of where I usually sat.
Their regularity in beginning the day was wonderful. From
a quarter to ten minutes to six (never later and never earlier)
they left their roosting-place for their first short flight up and
down the room, and I was left but little peace until they
were let ont.
One of my first excursions from Episcopi was to Curium,
a site that has probably been more explored by archeologists
(sot-disant or otherwise) than any other in the island. Its
yellow cliffs were the haunt of innumerable Jackdaws and
Kestrels (Tinnunculus cenchris), and the great prickly lizard,
Agama stellio, watched, motionless, here and there on the sum-
mits of the fallen stones below. On the hill where the city once
stood, now a mass of rubble overgrown with scrub, I found
Caccabis chukar abundant. The Kestrels were, no doubt,
breeding, and I shot one in the act of bringing a Thrush to
the nest. Judging from dissection, however, their food ap-
pears to consist chiefly of Coleoptera and Locusts. In
skinning them I found that the greater part of the body-
surface immediately beneath the skin was dotted with nu-
merous ova, about one half the size of those of the bluebottle
fly. A strong lens showed two minute black dots at one end.
I did not meet with these ova in any other bird I skinned in
Cyprus, but I found them on all the Kestrels I examined.
On the road towards Colossi, where stands a massive square
tower, built, probably, at the beginning of the 14th century
by the Lusignans, the country was too open to offer many
attractions. Its only beauty lay in the wealth of little blue
iris (Iris sisyrinchium) which lines the road on either hand,
and the cyclamens springing from the interstices of the rocks.
The Kuris river (an open nullah of dry sand and boulders)
is crossed soon after leaving the village. Feeding on some
bushes on its banks, I shot the Serin Finch, which, on the
whole, is not common on the island. In habits, note, and
general appearance this bird, which I here shot for the first
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 107
time, reminded me strongly of the African Fringilla angolensis.
Harriers were not uncommon, but very shy, and it was some
days before I succeeded in obtaining one, a beautiful old
male Circus swainsoni. The only rarity that I saw during
my stay at Episkopi was a Regulus of some species, which I
was unlucky enough to fail in obtaining.
The scattered stones with which the fields and roadsides
of Cyprus are so abundantly provided afforded a good hunt-
ing-ground for the Coleopterist ; but the spoil to be obtained
by turning them over was by no means limited to beetles.
Under nearly every one might be found the pretty spotted
lizard Chalcides ocellatus, a small species of Julus, and not
unfrequently a scorpion (Buthus europeus), at this season
generally immature. B. peloponnensis is apparently a far less
common species. While searching a bed of brillant yellow
Calendula for insects, I one day noticed a fly struggling in a
most energetic manner upon one of the flowers without any
apparent reason. My curiosity being roused, I examined it
more closely, and then, to my astonishment, discovered that
the creature was in the jaws of a spider, which, in colouring,
exactly matches the vivid yellow of the corolla that served at
once as its home and lure. I had had the flower in my
hand some time, I dare say three or four seconds, before I
saw it. Afterwards, on careful examination of the flowers
around, I found that these spiders were abundant, but in
every case they kept carefully to the corolla, where alone
they remained invisible.
This species (Thomisus onustus) is also, as the Rev. O. P.
Cambridge informs me, found sparingly in the heath districts
of the south of England, and varies in tint according to the
colour of the blooms it inhabits. The female alone appears
to adopt this method of procuring its food, the male being
very rarely found.
Athene noctua exists in such numbers at Episkopi that the
village may be regarded as its metropolis. Its clear ringing
note, ‘poo, pooep,’ can be heard in almost every garden—
seldom or never by day (although the bird often flies at that
time), and not very commonly at night. Theirs is the
108 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological ~
“Song of the setting sun,’ beginning when the muezzin
shouts his mournful cry from the minaret, and the connexion
of the two sounds and the brilliant sunsets that accompanied
them are among the most vivid of my recollections of the
little Turkish village. The Cypriotes have a quaint story
about the bird, under the idea, which I could never personally
confirm, that the two notes, as in the case of the African
Telephonus bacbakiri, are uttered by different birds. They
say that one of these Owls once borrowed four loaves of a
friend and only returned three, declaring that to have been
the number lent. Their descendants have ever since kept
up the quarrel, and that is why, when the one says “ tps,”
the other instantly retorts with “7’o’pa.”’ I regret that I
am unable to say whether the note is only uttered by the
female.
The season was hardly yet sufficiently advanced for snakes,
but on returning to my house one evening I found that a
peasant had brought me a very fine specimen of Zamenis
viridiflavus, 4 feet 5 inches in length, brownish green, with a
bright yellow belly. This species is very common on the
island, and I afterwards obtained a good series of the dif-
ferent varieties.
It was not until a day or two before my departure from
Episkopi that I found that there was a good marsh at the
north-west corner of the salt lakes I have already mentioned.
It was within tolerably easy reach, and I visited it twice. I
understood from the officers of the 49th Regt., then quartered
at Limassol, that it abounded in the winter with Ducks of
many kinds. I found a few Mallard and Teal, and Snipes
were very abundant. From a flock of eight or ten I shot a
Ruffin immature or non-breeding plumage ; but I got nothing
of special interest, with the exception of Sylvia rueppelli,
which I found haunting the tamarisk-bushes in, or on the
edges of, the swamp.
I left Episkopi March 29th. The village, as I afterwards
learnt, was supposed to be unhealthy, and although I had
not been actually laid up, I had never felt well during the
whole of my stay there. The neighbourhood of the salt lakes
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 109
has a bad name, and at the village of Akrotiri, which is
situated close to them, the infant mortality is said to be such
that there is always one (but only one) baby in the place.
Passing through Limassol, and picking up a few necessary
provisions, I struck northwards into the mountains, having
fixed on Jerona, a little hamlet at an altitude of 1700 feet,
as my station for a few days. I camped en route at the
village of Agrounda. It was my first experience under
canvas in Cyprus, and by no means a very pleasing one, for,
in spite of having barricaded the tent to the best of my ability
with my luggage, it was burglariously entered, and every-
thing eatable stolen by pariah dogs during the night. To
the last day of my residence on the island I could never
make up my mind as to whether camp or village life was the
lesser evil. In the one case I warred with dogs and ants, in
the other with fleas and a less lively but equally obnoxious
insect. I was like the gentleman who sought advice as to the
matrimonial state. It did not matter whether I took up my
quarters with the village Muktar, or went under canvas. In
either case I was sure to regret my action.
The southern range of mountains affords some exceedingly
fine views, and the abruptness of the valleys reminded me
strongly of some parts of Madeira, though it must be ad-
mitted that the lack of trees detracts considerably from the
beauty of the scenery. The hills were ablaze with flowers—
rock-roses, cyclamens, and furze; but I do not think I ever
saw a country poorer in bird-life. Not a single Raptorial
bird was to be seen, and the only species I noticed during a
whole day’s ride were Saxicola morio, Emberiza cesia, and
Sylvia melanothorax. 1 found Jerona a dirty village, with
still dirtier inhabitants, but magnificently situated on a spur
overlooking a deep and picturesque valley. There were no
more birds here, however, than I had seen on my way up
from Agrounda, and, after a day’s rest, I decided to push on.
My next stopping-place was Leokara, a large village some
hours to the eastward; but I met with no better fortune here
than at Jerona, and I left as soon as I was able, reaching
Larnaka on the 7th of April. I should have started a day
110 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological
earlier but for the fact that heavy rain was falling in the low
country. The season of 1887 was one of extraordinary
drought—a drought so severe that in the eastern parts of the
island there was practically no harvest, and in consequence
the people were reduced almost to a state of famine. During
the whole period of my residence in Cyprus I only saw rain
upon three occasions. J am bound to say, however, that on
one of them at least three inches must have fallen.
To the south of Larnaka, at no great distance from the
town, is a large salt lake, which affords an inexhaustible
supply of salt of excellent quality, a monopoly of the British
Government. Along its level, glaring shore it is rare to see
a bird, but towards the south-western extremity a little
stream expands to form a marsh, in which J found many
species of water-fowl. Ardea cinerea, A. bubulcus, and A.
comata were here, and, in spite of the lateness of the season,
I found plenty of full Snipes and a single Jack. The natives
told me that some of the former remain throughout the
summer ; but as they are largely given to needless romancing,
I do not guarantee the accuracy of the statement. The tiny
Cisticola schenicola was abundant, rising twenty or thirty
feet into the air when disturbed, and plunging up and down
in a series of short dives, uttering at each its single note of
alarm. On the outskirts of the marsh I shot the Waterhen
(Gallinula chloropus) and the Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus
phragmitis) ; but the best bird in my bag was Porzana parva,
retrieved from deep water by a good mongrel belonging
to a peasant, who twice threw the bird back into the pool
in order to demonstrate the extraordinary sagacity of his dog,
heedless of my cries of mingled rage and anxiety from the
opposite bank.
The Greek Easter was at this time in full swing, but its
festivities were, perhaps, a little less festive than usual, owing
to the prevailing agricultural depression. Food had become
so expensive that the natives had to part with their mules,
donkeys, and cattle for what they would fetch: a sum, in
many cases, inconceivably small. My host’s servant one day
bought an excellent little cow for three shillings and four
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 1
pence, and a week or two later, when at Kyrenia, I found
that donkeys were being shipped across to the Karamanian
coast in large numbers by an enterprising Hebrew. No one,
however, cared to do any work during the holiday season ;
and, partly because I was unable to get transport, partly
because I had found an excellent lake for water-fowl to the
north of Larnaka, I remained in the town until April 19th.
I heard the first Cuckoo April 13th, and saw one four days
later. At this season the Sparrows in the town collect in
large flocks of four or five hundred individuals, just before
sunset, and fly round and round for half an hour or more
before going to roost. In no part of the world have I seen
such enormous numbers of Swifts as in Larnaka, but they
were all Cypselus apus. As on my first visit, I found birds
scarce, and the only species worthy of mention was Pycnonotus
wxanthopygius. Although I did not shoot it, I have little doubt
about the bird, for it perched in a tree above me, within a
couple of yards of my head. At the lake to the north of
Larnaka (a nice sheet of water, about an hour’s ride from the
town) I found Plegadis falcinellus in small flocks of a dozen
or fifteen individuals. They permitted a tolerably near ap-
proach; but the Stilts, of which there were numbers, were
exceedingly shy. Each time I visited the place I found three
Swans swimming in conscious security in the middle of the
lake. I tried a long shot at them on one occasion, and,
whether in consequence of this or not I cannot say, a peasant
several days later brought in a wounded bird to my host. It
turned out to be Cygnus olor.
Leaving Larnaka I rode to Famagusta, or rather to its
Christian suburb, Varosia. ‘The road lies for a few miles
along the shore, and then, turning off at the head of Larnaka
Bay, crosses the barren stretch of land which ends in the
Cape Greco promontory some 20 miles tothe S.E. Nothing
more dreary and depressing can well be conceived. The
plain is nearly a dead level, featureless save for one or two
ruined and solitary churches, which are visible at an immense
distance, and add still further to the effect of loneliness and
desolation. I had found an enormous flock of Larus melano-
112 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
cephalus at the head of the bay, feeding about half a mile
inland on beetles and Helix pisana, a snail which exists in
such numbers that the herbage and stunted shrubs were
nearly white with them in some places. But after leaving
the sea hardly a bird was to be seen. With the exception of
the Crested Lark, I think that a solitary Harrier and a few
pairs of Sylvia conspicillata were the ouly species I noticed.
Varosia shows what may be done in Cyprus with plenty of
water and careful cultivation. A strip of gardens extends along
the coast between the village and the sea for a distance of about
three or four miles. They are the great pomegranate- and
orange-orchards of the island. Here I spent three or four
days in the vain hope of finding some of the rarer Warblers.
The Blackcap and Hypolais elaica were common enough, but
there appeared to be no other, except a few Phydloscopus sibi-
latrix. H. elaica I found here for the first time (April 21st),
so that it must be a tolerably late arrival. It is the com-
monest of its family, being found at every altitude and in
every part of the island; but the olive-trees seem to be its
favourite hunting-ground. The song is a meaningless un-
finished warble, consisting generaliy of four or five notes
repeated over and over again.
The walls of the magnificent fortress of Famagusta and
the ruins of the numerous churches destroyed by the Turkish
bombardment cf 1571 are tenanted by innumerable Jack-
daws and Tinnunculus cenchris, and not a few Athene noctua.
On the battlements I shot Hirundo rufula, and found its nest in
a rock-hewn cavern, attached to the smooth flat roof. In
general this is the situation adopted, but sometimes the back
of the nest is built against a beam, or against a wall where
it joins the ceiling. The entrance is a short tunnel, with a
slightly covered lip. The eggs are pure white, and, in this
case, were six in number.
I heard the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) on April 24th, and
saw it and the Roller on the following day. Both are abun-
dant in Cyprus. On the 26th I visited a small lake about
a couple of miles westward of the town. The graceful little
Tern, Sterna minuta, hovered at the mouth of a small stream
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 113
that fed it, and was almost the only species that permitted
me to approach within reasonable range. I saw also Sterna
caspia, Larus melanocephalus; the three Herons, Ardea
bubulcus, garzetta, and comata; the small Plovers 4. can-
tianus, hiaticula, and minor; and a species of Whimbrel.
Anthus cervinus I found feeding in small flocks of twenty
or thirty individuals on the wet ground near the lake, and,
in spite of the lateness of the season, I put up a number of
Snipes. The only uncommon bird in my bag, however,
was the Little Grebe (Podiceps minor). The Turtle Dove
(Turtur auritus) arrived about this date, and on my ride
back I disturbed numbers of them from the caroub trees.
I had intended, after leaving Famagusta, to proceed to the
Karpas, a long promontory jutting out for 40 or 50 miles at
the north-east part of the island; but the little time left to
me before the summer, and the fact that a famine was then
prevailing in that district, made me resolve on making for
the north-east at once. Nota mule was to be had in the
whole of Famagusta, but, fortunately, a rough road existed
as far as Lefkonico, and I was able to get a native cart to
carry my baggage thither, trusting to find mules or donkeys
to carry it on to Akanthu, where I proposed to take up my
quarters for a week or so. On my way [ passed a nice marsh
(little, if at all, known to the English), where I put up several
Snipes and Ducks, although only walking a few yards into
it. At Lefkonico I was detained for two days by incessant
rain. A torrent, about eighteen inches in depth, rushed
through the streets, and all going out was an impossibility
until the afternoon of the second day. I found a nest of
Melanocorypha calandra, with the eggs already hard-set, and
saw afew Cypselus melba and a great number of Bee-eaters.
The barley was being cut and carried, and I was astounded
at the enormous number of Turtle Doves feeding in the fields.
In one flock there must have been at least six or seven hun-
dred birds, and were more probably a thousand. ‘The ravages
of this species, I should iffagine, must be distinctly felt by the
farmers. I ought to add, however, that I never saw them so
numerous at any other place on the island.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. [
114 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological
The track from Lefkonico to Akanthu crosses the northern
range by a low pass, so low, indeed, that it is hardly worthy
of the name. The mountains, too, are on a corresponding
scale, for they are nowhere much above 3000 feet in height ;
but the abruptness of their northern face makes the scenery
very much finer than would be expected, and this coast is
undoubtedly the most beautiful part of the island. I had
hoped to find something new in the fauna or flora, and was
not disappointed, for directly after beginning the descent
on the further side I shot a specimen of the beautiful Em-
beriza melanocephala, and soon found it to be common enough
here, though south of the pass not one was to be found. I
afterwards noticed a few on the Troédos range; but the true
home of this species is on the northern coast. The same may
be said of the two Shrikes, Lanius nubicus and L. collurio.
The former I observed in two or three places on the slopes
of the southern mountains, but, to the best of my recollection,
I never saw the Red-backed Shrike anywhere but at the
north of the island and on Mt. Troddos. It is worthy of
note that in almost every individual of these two species I
found three or four filiform helminths beneath the skin at the
back of the neck.
Akanthu was in many ways an interesting place, though
its interest perhaps lay more in the people and their customs
then in anything else. They were more energetic than the
ordinary Cypriote, although possibly quite as little to be
depended on, and I was able to get a few men to help me in
collecting, which I had hitherto found almost impossible.
From the crags above the village I got three young Gyps
fulvus, one of which (brought to me on May 5th) had only
been hatched four or five days. Scops giu was also brought
alive to me, having been taken while sitting on its eggs from
a hole in the roof a house. The village was placed on a
series of arid spurs about six hundred feet above the sea, and
if one chose to look for them, there was no lack of scorpions
aud Scolopendre, although they seldom obtruded themselves
on one’s notice. Life was, nevertheless, a burden from other
causes. Sand-flies and mosquitos harassed one at night, and
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 115
countless thousands of flies by day. As for the fleas, Cyprus
is no exception to the rule that in the East, like the poor,
we have them always with us.
Of what the world at large calls obnoxious creatures,
perhaps one of the best that I secured was a magnificent
specimen of Vipera xanthina. It was of considerable length,
and as thick as the middle of a man’s forearm. The rapid
tapering of the tail and the dirty colouring of the reptile
give it a repulsive appearance, which is not belied by its char-
acter. The Commissioner for the Famagusta district in-
formed me of the death of a man from snake-bite just at this
time, the event occurring at the village at which he happened
to be staying, and I have no doubt that it was to this species
that it was due. Such occurrences must be very rare. Tra-
vellers have given the island a bad name for snakes, and have
repeated over and over again the statement that the natives
wear high boots to protect them from the “ deadly asps” with
which it abounds. It is true that snakes are extraordinarily
abundant in Cyprus, and equally true that every peasant
wears high boots, but almost all these reptiles are harmless,
and the boots are worn as a protection against the thorns
with which the stunted bushes are so liberally provided.
Koufi is the name by which almost every snake except Za-
menis viridiflavus is known, and even the little Typhlops
vermicularis is inserted in the Cypriote black list.
I heard the first Nightingale on the 4th May. On the
9th I left Akanthu and proceeded westward in the direction
of Kyrenia, skirting the shore closely. In many places
traces of rock-cut tombs and quarries and heaps of rubble
testified to the fact that in Greek or pre-Greek days this
‘coast must have been thickly populated. Anthus arboreus
fed in pairs in the stubble, or rather what should have been
the stubble, for here the corn is generally pulled up by the
roots, and the latter cut off against a fixed sickle. Hmberiza
melanocephala was very common, but it was singular to note
how much the males were in excess of the females. At one
place I heard the Francolin, a bird which is apparently be-
coming rarer from year to year in Cyprus, or at anv rate
12
116 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological
more limited in its distribution, although it is still abundant
at the southern and western parts of the island.
I camped below the ruins of Bellapais, a magnificent
semimonastic building of the Lusignan period, with a great
part of the beautiful cloisters still standing, and spent
most of the following day in photographing it. Hirundo
rufula was in great abundance here, and in a large hall, which
was doubtless the refectory, there were many nests. Most of
them were inaccessible, but from one I took some eggs, no
doubt of a second clutch. The Commissioner of the Kyrenia
district, with whom I was staying later, informed me that a
pair had raised three broods of young ones in one season in
a nest built in his bedroom.
The medieval fortress of Kyrenia, and the remains of the
walls and other fortifications by which the ancient town was
surrounded, would take many days thoroughly to explore,
aud I regretted that I had not more time to devote to them.
My rambles in the neighbourhood were very unproductive.
There are numerous foxes, as there are, indeed, in most parts
of the island. Hares, too, are fairly abundant. A native
sportsman at Akanthu, who seemed a tolerably good ob-
server, declared that there were two species of the latter
animal, one of which was entirely confined to the mountains.
He described it as being of a darker colour and smaller size;
but though I offered to pay him well if he brought a speci-
men, I never got one. Those that I shot on the island did
not seem to differ from our species. Their average weight
was a little over 7 lbs.
I arrived at Lapethus, a village a few miles to the west of
Kyrenia, on the 15th May. With its streams of running
water and abundance of greenery it has a fair claim to be
considered one of the prettiest places in the island. Here I
wasted three days in a vain search for caves, none of those
I found being of sufficient size to render digging worth
while. I hardly added a specimen to my collection. Few
birds were to be seen, and I find in my diary a note against
a Sylvia melanothoraz I shot here, “anything but common
on this northern side.” This part and the promontory of
re re
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. BLL
Kormakiti just beyond are two of the best places for Wood-
cocks in the island,
The heat by day had by this time become very great, an
unpleasant reminder that my time on the island was drawing
to a close, and that I had still a considerable amount of
ground to be worked before my departure. I was desirous
of seeing something of the southern slopes of the range
before I quitted the district, and accordingly started on the
19th May for a hamlet known as Larnaka tou Lapethou.
This place is supposed, though I do not know exactly why,
to have been the burial-place of the city of Lapethus in
ancient days. It seems to the last degree improbable that they
should have taken the trouble to carry their dead over rough
mountain-paths to a place so far distant ; for Larnaka, though
not far off as the crow flies, is, owing to the impassable
nature of the mountains, quite three hours by road from the
ruins of Lapethus. From whatever reason, however, there are
remains of many tombs, and, in particular, a bilingual inscrip-
tion in Phoenician and Greek, described by Cesnola, which I
was anxious to photograph. I stayed a day only at this
place—long enough for me to take my views and copies and
to remark upon the paucity of bird-life. It is singular that
there should be so few birds of prey in these mountainous
districts. My servant told me that he had put up a covey of
Red-legs, the young birds “ grandes comme une Caille,”’ close
to our camp, and there were other evidences of the earliness
of the season in the parched appearance ot the surrounding
country.
I descended into the plains and reached the village of
Morphou, a place of some little size, on the evening of May
20th. The ride across the endless stretch of level ground
was uninteresting to a degree. ‘The harvest, which was
fairly good in this district, was in most places carried. The
ubiquitous Sparrow, a stray Grey Crow or two, and innumer-
able Swifts were the only birds I noticed, with the exception
of a pair of Black Vultures (Vultur monachus), an old bird and
a full-grown young one. The latter I was fortunate enough
to shoot with a charge of No. 6. shot, after a long stalk and
118 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
a trudge of two or three miles. He measured 9 feet 5 inches
from tip to tip,and was so heavy and unmanageable that,
finding I could not drag him back to my mule, I reluctantly
left him, after cutting off the head and feet. ,
There was nothing to keep me at Morphou except a marsh,
or what was described to me as one, in its neighbourhood.
The drought had had its effect upon it, however, and I found
it like a pond, little else but dry land and water nearly
reaching my waist. Numbers of Pratincoles were hawking
over it, and now and again dropping on the shingle of the
neighbouring beach to rest. I was glad to do the same, for a
slight touch of African fever from which I was suffering
rendered me incapable of much exertion under such a pow-
erful sun. From what I saw I judged that the marsh, from
an ornithologist’s point of view, was comparatively deserted.
I had planned my route to the southern and western parts
of the island wid Lefka and the much be-praised Maratassa
valley, and started on May 23rd. The former place is
charmingly bowered in mulberry and other fruit-trees and
abounds in Nightingales. I saw here for the first time a
beautiful little lizard, which in appearance reminded me of
a Charr, the belly being bright pik and the sides orna-
mented with well-marked blue spots, probably a brilliantly
coloured variety of Lacerta muralis. The Maratassa valley
is disappointing, but the beautiful stream of clear water that
rushes down between its abrupt sides atones for much in
such an arid land as Cyprus. It can hardly be called a
gorge, yet it is not a valley. Great quantities of grapes are
grown here, often in apparently inaccessible places, and it is
said that lives are sometimes lost in gathering them and in
tilling the land.
In the second night after leaving Morphou I camped at
Kalopanagiotissa, a village bisected by the stream, and
reminding me strongly of others I had seen in Japan in
similar localities, even down to the black colour of the huts,
and the necessary vehemence of the conversations carried on
across the water. Just below the village the stream passes
between almost inaccessible cliffs, a fact brought unpleasantly
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 119
to my notice from my having pursued a Oinclus into a place
in which advance and retreat were equally impossible. My
safe arrival at the top of the cliff after a desperate climb was
a piece of good fortune for which I cannot be sufficiently
thankful.
I reached Kikko Monastery on the 25th May. It is
situated at an altitude of 4000 feet, and is the home of a
hundred monks and probationers, and many thousands of
Swifts, Swallows, and Martins. The deep valleys around are
clothed with arbutus and other evergreens, but tne hills are
arid-looking enough, their barren shaly rock only half hidden
by vegetation. I had hoped to find some marked change in
the bird-life at this elevation, but I was doomed to disap-
pointment. The ever-present Sazicola morio and equally
ubiquitous Emberiza cesia were common enough, and in the
thicker coppices the Nightingale and Garden Warbler poured
out a torrent of song, but there was little else, and I cursed
my stupidity in having dismissed my mules and condemned
myself to a five days’ imprisonment in such a place.
At a short distance from the monastery there was a clump
of pines where it was possible to obtain some little shade
from a sun that had by this time becone unpleasantly power-
ful. It was while watching, gun in hand, beneath these,
that I first obtained a Coal Titmouse, which at once struck
me by the extreme darkness of the plumage of the under
surface. Mr. Dresser has described it at a recent meeting
of the Zoological Society as a new species, and named it Parus
cypriotes (Plate II.). It differs, he says, from Parus ater in
having the upper parts brownish, as in Parus britannicus,
but rather darker, in having the white nuchal patch almost
obsolete, and in having the black on the throat extended
much further down than in Parus ater, thus covering amuch
larger area. The underparts are tinged with buff, the flanks
and under tail-coverts being much darker in tint.
This little Parus was far from plentiful, for I only shot four
during my stay at the monastery, although I waited beneath
the pines for them for the greater part of each morning. I
never saw it at a lower elevation than this (4000 ft.), or any-
120 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard— Ornithological
where except on or among the pines. On Troddos it was not
uncommon, in small parties of five or six, which followed each
other from tree to tree, and occasionally descended to the
ground to feed. Its note is a feeble edition of that of Parus
ater.
I expected to find Cypselus melba here, but did not see one.
The Martins (Chelidon urbica) built under the false arches
on the eastern wall of the monastery, their nests clustered
together in masses of ten or twelve. I noticed here a pecu-
harity about the Swallows’ nests, which were placed in great
numbers in the cloisters and corridors. The front was orna-
mented by three or four loose streamers of grass which hung
down for six or eight inches or more. The difference in the
colouring of the under surface of these birds is extraordinary.
It is quite common in Cyprus to see it ranging from nearly
white to a deep reddish buff, from Hirundo rustica to H.
savignit in other words. Although one may often see these
extremes in a paired couple, the differences in colouring do
not appear to be sexual. In Cyprus, at any rate, it 1s impos-
sible to allow that H. savignii is a good species. One more
remark on these birds and I have done. It is, that though
the Swallow is wonderfully common throughout the island,
the Martin, on the other hand, is a very local bird.
I shaped my course westward on leaving Kikko, passing
through country much like that in the neighbourhood of the
monastery—deep valleys in all directions, only separated from
one another by sharp ridges, along the brows of which the
narrow trail for the most part led. The distant scenery was
splendid, but our immediate surroundings were too bare for
beauty. An hour or two after our start, however, we came
to a part where the hills were sparsely clothed with pines,
and here I saw several Jays*. I was fortunate in shooting
a couple, for the slopes which we were passing must have
been nearly 45°, ground where one cannot follow one’s game
with much facility. I also saw the Golden Oriole, for the
first and only time during my visit to the island. My desti-
* From the feathers of these birds being ina much abraded condition,
it is not possible to name them with any degree of certainty.
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 121
nation was Limni, the site of old Phcenician copper-mines,
where a company have just commenced to sink a shaft. It
is close to the sea, at the head of Chrysokkou Bay, and is a
twodays’ journey from Kikko. The monastery of Chrysorogia-
tissa, whence there is a view of magnificent extent, formed
my halfway house, and I was again detained here, though
only for a day, one of my muleteers being down with fever.
I reached Limni June Ist. My road led for the greater
part of the day over the white marl rocks that enter so largely
into the geological composition of the island, and the heat and
glare were intolerable. The summer in Cyprus 1s as trying,
probably, as that in any other part of the world, but chiefly
from the fact that there is no shade or verdure of any kind
on which to rest the eye. Our ride was not rendered any more
pleasant by the incessant attacks of an @strus, or some fly of
that nature, upon the mules. This insect does not deposit the
egg upon the coat of the animal, but seeks to enter the nostril
for that purpose. Somuch are they feared by the mules that
the very sight of them makes them restless, and they at once
contract the nostril to the smallest possible size, and strive
by plungings and shakings of the head to keep the insect off,
amanceuvre which, if constantly kept up, will in time exhaust
the patience of the most long-suffering rider. Almost the
only birds that I saw worthy of mention were the Wood
Pigeon and Linnet: the former, which appeared to be
tolerably abundant in this district, I had only twice seen
previously ; the Linnets, a generally distributed species, were
remarkable for the brightness of their colouring.
In Mr. Williamson (one of my hosts during my stay at
Limni) I found a sportsman and Moufflon-hunter whose
knowledge of the people, animals, and birds was probably
more extensive than that of any other European in the island.
It was at this time the close season for the Moufflon; and
I was unable to go out after them as I had intended, but I
was able to obtain some information about these animals
which may, I think, be accepted as reliable. They are now
almost entirely confined to the western side of the Troddos
range, and although they are said to have been seen in the
122 Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard—Ornithological
neighbourhood of the military camp at the summit, such an
occurrence must be regarded as very unusual. The rutting-
season is late in October or at the beginning of November,
and at this time the rams fight fiercely. The clashing of
their horns is audible at a considerable distance, and a
favourite native method of getting a shot is to knock two
stones together in imitation of this sound, at the top of some
hill in their favourite haunts. This device is said to be so
successful, that if any ram is near he is nearly certain to be
attracted by it. They have generally one young one at a
birth, but sometimes two, and the kid is said to be so active
that even on the day of its birth it can only with difficulty
be run down by a dog.
Mr. Williamson estimated the total number of Moufflon
at present existing on the island to be between 100 and 150,
and considered the former number would be probably nearer
the mark than the latter. The natives think there are more,
having a superstition that once a year the saint Agio Mama
herds the animals, and that if he finds more than 700 he spirits
away the surplus, if less, supplies the deficiency. Nothing
would induce a Cypriote to go hunting on this day.
In the cliffs formed in past ages by the Phoenicians in
their search for copper I found the Roller and Bee-eater
breeding, and spent a day in digging out their nests. The
latter birds seem to prefer to make their burrows near the
top of the cliff, and the length of it (sometimes as much as
ten or twelve feet) is surprising. ‘The Roller bred here in a
nest so exposed that I could see the eggs from the brow of
a cliff opposite. It was within a day or two of hatching
a second brood.
While at Limni I heard of a cliff, six or eight miles distant,
in which Peregrines, or birds of that nature, were supposed
to build; but the heat was so great (the minimum night
temperature being 81° Fahr.) that I was glad to be able to
get a sporting native to visitit forme. He returned two days
later with a young Bonelli’s Eagle (Misaetus fasciatus) ; but
though I sent him back again with a promise of good pay if he
obtained the parents or any Falcons for me, he did not succeed
Tour in Cyprus in 1887. 123
in doing so. My only excursion was to an ancient site near
Poli tou Chrysochou, where recent excavations have brought
to light a quantity of Greek pottery of a late period. In
the dry heat-stricken fields there was little life, and I only
shot a Wood Pigeon and saw two Stone Curlews. In Cyprus
the summer is not the season for the ornithologist, although it
may be said to be fairly good for the sportsman. Mr.
Williamson told me that in the Acamas district (the extreme
western promontory of the island) he had shot a very large
quantity of Francolin, Partridge, and Hares in ten days at
the beginning of July. Near Poli, the Francolin could be
heard calling in all directions ; but it is difficult to flush these
birds without dogs, and as I merely needed specimens for
preservation, I only once went after them. The only animal
of interest that I obtained at Limni was Cynonycteris collaris,
a large frugivorous Bat, which inhabits a cave in the neigh-
bourhood in some numbers.
I had now made up my mind to proceed to the summit of
Troddos without delay, and accordingly made for Limassol
along the south coast, stopping at Papho, Pissouri, and
Episkopi on my way. I hardly recognized the latter
place, so changed was it from its former beauty of apricot
blossom and bright green foliage. Now it was brown, dry,
and dusty to a degree, and hardly a bird was to be seen.
On reaching Limassol I despatched my heavy baggage in
advance, and two days later rode up to Troddos enveloped in
clouds of dust and with a blazing sun overhead. I had no
occasion to complain of the heat that evening, however. We
dined wrapped in our ulsters and with paraffin stoves at our
feet, and the thermometer, which had registered 83° Fahr. as
the minimum night temperature at Limassol, now sank
to 39°.
The military camp at Troddos is placed within a very short
distance of the summit, at an elevation of about 6600 feet,
and the mountain is here, as elsewhere, scantily clothed with
pines. They have a dried-up and stunted appearance, as of
trees that have strayed beyond their proper latitude. During
the three days I remained here I found less of interest than
124 Prof. W. K. Parker on the presence of Claws
I had expected. TI had heard of Woodpeckers, Nuthatches,
and Crossbills, but I saw nothing of them, and the only birds
characteristic of the region were Certhia familiaris and the
Parus before mentined, both of which are tolerably abundant.
The other birds I noticed on the summit were some species
of Eagle (possibly Aquila heliaca), Gyps fulvus, Athene noctua,
the Hoopoe, Jay, Dipper, Partridge, Nightingale, Hypolais
elaica and Sylvia hortensis, Saxicola morio and Emberiza
cesia, the two Shrikes, Lanius nubicus and L. collurio, and
the Linnet, Chaffinch, and Raven. The last-named bird is very
numerous and may be seen every afternoon flocking to the
slaughter-house. It is worthy of note that the Grey Crow
does not seem to come above Platraes.
With Troéddos my work in Cyprus practically ceased. I
returned to Nikosia, June 20th, after an absence of three
months and a half, and found the Jubilee rejoicings at their
height. I got together my collections and went down to
Larnaka, only to find a similar series of fétes just commencing.
On the last day of June the mail-steamer came in, and getting
my luggage on board I bade adieu to the island and to some
of the many kind friends who had done their best to assist
me in my wanderings on it.
IX.—On the presence of Claws in the Wings of the Ratite.
By W. K. Parker, F.R.S.
Ir has long been known that the Ostrich (Struthio) and the
Nandu (Rhea) have a horny wnguis—a nail or claw on their
first and second wing-digits, those which correspond to our
thumb and index-finger.
But in a paper sent by me to the Royal Society on the
13th of January, 1887 (only, as yet, published in abstract),
I gave an account of the discovery of a small claw on the
imperfect third digit of the wing in both the Rhea and the
Ostrich—in the latter in a half-grown specimen, and in the
in the Wings of the Ratitze. 125
former in the adult. These specimens are to be found in
their proper cases in the Hunterian Museum.
It has also been known, for some time past, that the
abortively developed third digit in these birds has two pha-
langes beyond the metacarpal ; and after my paper was read
Ries 1:
Manus of Struthio.
R, radius; U, ulna; r, radial carpal bone ; x, ulnar carpal; J, 17, IL,
first, second, and third metacarpals; 1, 2, 2a, 3, phalanges of digits ;
el, cl’, claws.
N.B.—The small claw on the third digit is not shown in this specimen.
Mr. Wray brought before the Zoological Society of London
a very important notice of the condition of this distal pha-
lanx of the third digit (see Proc. Zool. Soc. 1887, pp. 283,
284). It was shown in that paper that a considerable
tract of cartilage is developed beyond the normally ornithic
proximal phalanx, and that this acquires an osseous centre of
its own.
In these two types of the Ratite we have there-
fore the primary Reptilian (Ornithoscelidan) form of the
bird’s wing, even the abortively developed third digit having
a small claw at its end. That digit should have four
126 Prof. W. K. Parker on the presence of Claws
phalanges to make it normal as a Reptilian “finger ;” the
proximal piece therefore answers to three, in an undivided
state, for the distal phalanx must be that which carries the
claw.
In the adult Indian Cassowary (Casuarius galeatus) there is
only one carpal bone free; the “manus” is a solid single
Fig. 2,
Manus of Casuarius.
R, radius; U, ulna; M, elements of manus consolidated ; cl, claw.
piece, with only one finger (the second or “ index”) de-
veloped, and this has only ¢wo phalanges—it ought to have
three; and the distal phalanx is an inch long and carries a
large claw.
In the ripe embryo of a specimen of the Mooruk (C.
bennetti) I find four cartilaginous carpal nuclei and three
metacarpal rays: the first is very small and feeble; the
second very strong and with the normal number of
phalanges (i. e., three beside the metacarpal), and the distal
or ungual joint is very long and carries a long claw; the
third metacarpal is about one sixth the size of the second,
and has no phalanges on it.
In the Emu (Dromeus) the second digit has two pha-
langes and a long curved claw. In a young bird six weeks
old I find one finger, the index or second, well developed
relatively to the small wing, with the normal number of
phalanges, and with a curved claw on the distal joint. The
“manus ” is composed apparently of only two metacarpals.
in the Wings of the Ratite. 127
In the adult Apterya oweni the metacarpal piece (“‘ manus”’)
is certainly compound, the segment belonging to the pollex
Manus of Dromeus.
R, radius; U, ulna; 7, radial carpal; ZZ, second metacarpal; ILI, third
metacarpal, rudimentary ; 2, 2a, phalanges of second digit ; el, claw.
being evidently added to that of the index; this ray or digit
has only two phalanges, and the distal joint carries a small
curved claw.
Manus of Apteryz.
R, radius; U, ulna; 7, radial carpal ; m, fused metacarpals ; cl, claw at
end of second digit.
In Apteryx australis there appears to be only one finger,
the index, with its terminal claw, and with only two
phalanges ; the “manus” is broad, proximally, and is
evidently compound.
My son, Prof. T. J. Parker, who is now working out the
development of the Kzwi, tells me that in the early embryo
the outward and visible form of the three normal ornithic
fingers can be seen, but that there are not three tracts of
128 Hans von Berlepsch on two new
cartilage developed within. I hope soon to receive this
memoir for publication.
Thus we see that these waifs of an ancient and very
Reptilian Avifauna have not only an arrested, but also
an archaic condition of the wing. When most developed, as
in Rhea and Struthio, in which the carpus comes very near
that of the perfect modern bird, I have seen no signs as
yet of those secondary digital rays that help to form the
framework for the implantation of the “primaries” in the
“manus” of a typical Carinate Bird. These additional
parts, which will be described in the paper referred to above,
will help us to understand the huge progress made by the
bird since the time when the old Struthious types possessed
the earth.
X.—Descriptions of two new Species of Birds from Bogota,
Colombia. By Hans von BEervepscu.
1. BuaRREMON SIMPLEX, Sp. nov.
Diagn. B. ele@oproro, Scl. et Salv., ex Antioquia, similli-
mus, sed speculo alari albo omnino caret. Al. 71-78,
caud. 773-803, rostr. 134, tars. 26 mm.
Hab. Bogota, Colombia, duo specimina in Mus. H. v.
Berlepsch.
About a year ago I got two skins of this new species from
Mr. A. Boucard, of Paris, together with many other Bogota
skins, all of them being of the usual Indian make, by which
they are easily known as having been collected in the
vicinity of Bogota.
In the olivaceous colour of its back B. simplex comes very
close to B. eleoprorus, Scl. & Salv., P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 504, ex
Antioquia, but in the new species the large white alar
speculum characteristic of that species is altogether absent.
There are perhaps slight traces of white at the extreme base
of the primaries, but it does not extend to the end of the
coverts to form a speculum.
Species of Birds from Boyotd. 129
Otherwise I cannot detect much difference between
B, simplex and B. eleoprorus ; but in one of my specimens of
the former, which seems to be more adult than the other one,
the back is of a much darker olivaceous, and the underparts
are of a more intense yellow than in my specimens of B.
eleoprorus.
+ 2. MyrMeciza BoucaRrDI, sp. nov.
Syn. Myrmeciza longipes, Scl. (nec auct.), P.Z.S. 1855,
p. 147 (Bogota).
Diagn. M. 3g dorso, cauda alisque extus lete rufo-brunneis,
pileo et nucha necnon colli lateribus ardesiacis, pectore
cum epigastru lateribus pallidius cinereis. Macula in
dorso celata inconspicua nivea. Capitis lateribus et
gula cum collo inferiore nigerrimis. Abdomine medio
albo, hypochondrius rufo-brunneis. Humeris albis
nigro variegatis. Tectricibus alarum superioribus majo-
ribus macula anteapicali rotunda nigra, minimis partim
nigris, inferioribus albo-griseis. Tectricibus subcaudali-
bus lete rufo-cinnamomeis. Rostro nigro, pedibus
brunneis.
? differt gula juguloque cum capitis lateribus intense rufis,
pectoris et ventris lateribus pallide fulvis, pileo nucha-
que sordidius cinerascentibus.
Obs. M. longipedi, auct., affinis, sed ¢ capite supra ardesiaco
(nec rufo-brunneo), pectore late cinereo (nec albo), rostro
validiore fere nigro et pedibus brunneis (nec flavis), ? gula
juguloque intensius rufis, capite supra brunnescenti-cinereo
(nec rufo-brunneo) constanter differunt.
3 long. tot. 1382-145, al. 71-78, caud. 64-67, rostr. 214,
tars. 30 mm.; long. tot. 125, al. 68, caud. 58, rostr. 201,
tars. 30 mm.
Hab. Bogota, Colombia (2 ¢ ,12, in Mus. H. v. Ber-
lepsch), et g in Mus. A. Boucardi.
Of this new species I have examined three males and one
female, proving that the characters expressed in the above
diagnosis are well founded. I have dedicated this bird to
Mr. Adolphe Boucard, of Paris, who kindly forwarded my
specimens, together with a large and interesting collection
received by him direct from Santa Fé de Bogoté. All
these skins were of the usual Bogota make.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. K
130 On two new Species of Birds from Bogota.
It seems that Mr. Sclater was already acquainted with
this species, but did not distinguish it from M. longipes, auct.,
from which, to my mind, it differs in several striking points
expressed in the above diagnosis.
M. longipes, auct., of which I have two males from Puerto
Cabello, Venezuela, and Trinidad, has the top of the head
always rufous brown, but of a darker shade than the back.
The anterior portion of the front only in M. longipes is
cinereous, and there is a well-defined broad postocular stripe
of a clear whitish cinereous. In M. boucardi, on the contrary,
all the upper parts of the head are of a uniform dark ashy
grey. The breast and the belly in M. longipes are pure
white, there being only a small greyish border to the black
of the throat laterally. In M. boucardi all the upper breast
beneath the black jugulum and the sides of the upper belly
are pure grey, the white being restricted to a mesial line on
the belly. The flanks in M. longipes are of a clear ochra-
ceous, dark rufous brown or nearly olivaceous brown in
M. boucardi. The tibize, in the former ochraceous, appear
more or less greyish in M. boucardi. M. boucardi has a
stronger longer bill, and both bill and feet are much darker
than in M. longipes. The female M. doucardi in the same
way differs from that of M. longipes in the darker colour of
the bill and feet, and in possessing a longer and stronger bill ;
it further differs in having the upper parts of the head of a
dark brownish cinereous (instead of rufous brown), and in
presenting a much darker rufous on the throat and jugulum
below. The yellowish rufous of the sides of the body is also
more extended.
I may take this opportunity to call attention to the
original description of the so-called M. longipes. I must
confess that I cannot at all recognize the species usually
so called in the description given by Vieillot, in the Nouv.
Dict. xii. (1817) p. 118, of his Myrmothera longipes. Never-
theless our bird is well described afterwards under the same
name by Swainson in Zool. Journ. i. (1825) p. 152. As it
appears that other synonyms are wanting, I propose to apply
to it the new name, Myrmeciza swarnsont, Berl. 4
Muenden, November 1887.
Reeently published Ornithological Works. 131
XI.—Notices of Recent Ornithological Publications.
1. Anderson on the Birds of the Mergui Archipelago.
[List of Birds, chiefly from the Mergui Archipelago, collected for the
Trustees of the Indian Museum. By John Anderson, M.D., LL.D.,
F.R.S, Journ. Linn. Soc. (Zool.) vol. xxi. p. 136.]
Dr. Anderson gives us a list of the birds of which speci-
mens were obtained during his expedition to the Mergui
Archipelago. The islands in which the collections were
mostly made are King Island, Elphinstone Island, and
Sullivan Island. As might have been expected, the species
are nearly wholly the same as those of the adjoining main-
land, Butreron cappelli being the only one additional to the
Fauna of Tenasserim. Major Wardlaw Ramsay has revised
the identifications.
2. Berlepsch on the Birds of Paraguay.
[Systematisches Verzeichniss der yon Herrn Ricardo Rohde in Para-
guay gesammelten Vogel. Von Hans von Berlepsch. J. f. O. 1887,
pp. 1, 113.]
This excellent memoir is based upon a collection of about
229 specimens of birds made by Mr. Rohde in Paraguay,
which are referred to 116 species. Of these, Thamnophilus
rohdei is described and figured as new, while many important
critical notes are given upon the identification and nomen-
clature of the other species.
As shown in Graf v. Berlepsch’s introductory remarks,
the study of the birds of Paraguay is of special importance
to ornithologists as necessary for the accurate identification
of the birds of that country described by Azara at the
beginning of the present century; for, although these
birds were provided with Spanish names only by Azara, upon
these Spanish names Latin terms were subsequently based
by Temminck, Vieillot, Lichtenstein, Merrem, and others,
which have in many cases been subsequently misapplied to
the representative species of the surrounding countries. A
careful examination of the Paraguay birds las therefore
become of primary necessity for the correction of these errors.
K 2
132 Recently published Ornithological Works.
As regards the 116 species represented in Mr. Rohde’s col-
lection, we need hardly say that this task has been performed
by Graf v. Berlepsch in the most satisfactory way. Our
author also gives us in an Appendix a complete systematic
list of all the Birds hitherto ascertained to occur in Paraguay,
which will be found most useful for the identification of the
remainder of Azara’s species.
3. Blasius on the Birds of Celebes.
[ Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Vogelfauna von Celebes. III. Von Prof.
Dr. Wilh. Blasius. Zeitschr. f. d. ges. Ornithol. Jahr. iii. p. 193. |
In his third contribution to the Bird-fauna of Celebes (cf.
Ibis, 1887, p. 104), Dr. Blasius gives an account of 15 species,
of which specimens were contained in several collections for-
warded by Herr Riedel to the Zoological Museum of the
Imperial Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburg. There
were 78 species represented in the collections, but the rest
of them have been mentioned in Dr. Blasius’s previous paper
on Riedel’s birds. A complete list of these 78 species is
added. Two of them, Numenius cyanopus and Nettapus
pulchellus, are new to the Celebesian Avifauna.
4. Bryant on the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island.
[Additions to the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island. By Walter E.
Bryant. Bull. Californ. Ac. Sci. ii. p. 269.]
Mr. Bryant .has twice visited Guadalupe in pursuit of
ornithological studies, and remained on the second occasion
112 days in this remote island, which lies in the Pacific
Ocean off the Californian shores, some 220 miles S.W. of
San Diego. Guadalupe is about 15 miles long, and 5 in
width at its broadest part. It is of volcanic origin, and at
its highest point attains a height of 4523 feet. Much of its
surface is covered with sage-brush, but there are some
scattered groves of pines, oaks, and other trees.
The Avifauna of Guadalupe Island was entirely unknown
until Dr. E. Palmer visited it in 1875 and made the collection
described by Mr, Ridgway, which contained examples of 8
Recently published Ornithological Works. 133
land-birds and 1 water-bird, all the former being peculiar
to the island and new to science *. :
Mr. Bryant’s researches have added 27 more species to
the list, so that the Avifauna of Guadalupe now includes
36 species. But these additional species are, it appears, all
such as are already known from the adjacent continent, and
most of them only occasional visitants.
The endemic birds of Guadalupe Island remain therefore
8 in number J, all of them representatives of nearly allied
continental forms, from which they have evidently descended,
and attained differential characters by isolation.
Mr. Bryant’s notes are full and interesting, and include
descriptions of the nesting and eggs of all the endemic
species except the Pipilo, Thryothorus, and Polyborus. The
last-named bird, it may be remarked, seems likely to become
extinct, owing to the unrelenting persecution of it by the
“ Tsland Agent.”
5. Buller’s ‘ Birds of New Zealand,
[A History of the Birds of New Zealand. By Sir Walter Lawry
Buller. Part I. July 1887. Folio. London. ]
Sir Walter Buller’s first part of his new History of the Birds
of New Zealand is now before us. There can be no question
as to the completeness with which the author treats his
familiar subject, nor as to the excellence of the illustrations
prepared by the pencil of Mr. Keulemans. But we are not
sure that we altogether like the colour-printing, although
there is no doubt that greater uniformity is thereby attained.
The following species are figured in Part I.:—Glaucopis
wilsoni, G. cinerea, Heteralocha acutirostris, Creadion carun-
culatus, C. cinereus, Turnagra hectori and T. crassirostris.
* See Mr. Ridgway’s article “Ornithology of Guadaloupe Island, based
on notes and collections made by Dr. Edward Palmer.” Bull. U.S. Geol.
& Geogr. Surv. Terr. ii. no. 2.
+ These are
1. Polyborus lutosus. 5. Pipilo consobrinus.
2, Colaptes rufipileus. 6. Salpinctes guadalupensis.
3. Carpodacus amplus. 7. Thryothorus brevicaudus,
4, Junco insularis, 8. Regulus obscurus.
134 Recently published Ornithological Works.
6. Carazzi on the Birds of Spezia.
[Materiali per una Avifauna del Golfo di Spezia e della Val di Magra ;
del Dott. Davide Carazzi. 8vo. Spezia: 1887.]
The species observed along the Gulf of Spezia and in the
Val di Magra are 312 in number; some of them of con-
siderable rarity ; and it is interesting to find Huspiza mela-
nocephala recorded from the western side of Italy. This
little treatise forms a useful addition to the larger works on
Italian ornithology recently published by Count Salvadori
and by Professor Giglioli.
7. Hartert on the Birds of Prussia.
[ Vorliufiger Versuch einer Ornis Preussens. Von Ernst Hartert.
Mittheil. Orn. Vereines Wien, 1887: Separatabdruck. ]
The want of a good list containing full and recent infor-
mation respecting the birds of North-eastern Germany was
much felt, and is now supplied. ‘The species noticed are 274
in number, and many interesting details are given as regards
rarities, and also about the southward extension of the
breeding-range of such northern birds as Turdus pilaris and
Carpodacus erythrinus.
8. ‘Indian Annals and Magazine of Natural Science.’
[The Indian Annals and Magazine of Natural Science (an illustrated
Monthly), conducted by James A. Murray. Vol. I. Nos. 1-3. 8vo.
Bombay and London: 1887. ]
As regards ornithology, the greater part of the contri-
butions to these three numbers consists of two long chapters
by the Editor in a narrative form on the “ Zoology of Beloo-
chistan and Southern Afghanistan,’ followed by a list of
twenty-eight species of birds, to be continued. There are
also several short communications of merely local interest.
9. Lucas on the Osteology of Nothura.
[Notes on the Osteology of the Spotted Tinamou (Nothura maculosa).
By Frederick A. Lucas. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 157.]
In Nothura the “chain of supraorbital ossicles” so re-
Recently published Ornithological Works. 135
markable in the normal Tinamine skull is entirely lacking,
and the interorbital portion of the cranium is much con-
tracted. Also the first three dorsals are fused into one mass,
and other peculiarities exist. It is unfortunate that Mr. Lucas
has no skeletons of other forms of Tinamous to aid him in
his comparisons.
10. Meyer on the Capercaillie and Black Grouse.
[Unser Auer-, Rackel- und Birkwild und seine Abarten; von Dr. A.
B. Meyer. Text, folio; Atlas, Elephant folio (17 plates). Wien: 1887. ]
Dr. Meyer has devoted a folio volume of 96 pages and an
accompanying larger Atlas with 17 coloured plates to the
consideration of Tetrao urogallus and T. tetriv and their
various crosses: inter se, and with allied forms of Grouse.
The number and variety of these forms is certainly worthy of
careful study, and is here exhaustively treated of. The
figures are drawn by Miitzel, and well printed in colours.
11. Milne-Edwards and Oustalet on the Birds of Grand
Comoro Island.
[Observations sur quelques espéces d’oiseaux récemment découvertes
dans Vile de la Grande Comoro. Par MM. Alph. Milne-Edwards et
E. Oustalet. Ann. Se. Nat. Zool. sér. vii. t. ii. pp. 218-238 (1887). ]
In 1885 M. Humblot brought from the island of Grand
Comoro an important collection of birds, of which a short
account was published by the authors of the present paper in
the ‘ Comptes Rendus’ (Compt. Rend. Ac. Sc. 1885, 1. Cl.
p. 218). A more complete account is now given of this
collection, and of a second, still larger one, brought by this
collector from the same island.
Fourteen specimens are treated of in the present com-
munication, all of which were described as new by the
authors in their first paper on this subject in the ‘ Comptes
Rendus.’ Two of these are now identified with other species,
but twelve are regarded as well founded.
The total number of species of which examples were ob-
tained by M. Humblot in Grand Comoro was 33.
136 Recently published Ornithological Works.
12. Nazarow on the Zoology of the Kirghiz Steppes.
[Recherches zoologiques des Steppes des Kirguiz. Par P.S. Nazarow,
avec préface du Dr. M.Menzbier. Bull. Soc. Imp. d. Nat. Moscou, 1887,
pt. 2, p. 338.]
This interesting pamphlet treats of the zoology of the
country lying to the east of the Ural Mountains, where,
owing to the prolongation of that range southward, under
the name of the Mougodschars, it is hardly an exaggeration
to say that the reindeer looks down upon the tiger; while
the winter climate is that of Novaya Zemlya, and the mean
of summer heat exceeds that of Morocco. ‘The remarks on
the principal birds (identified by Dr. Menzbier, who writes a
short preface) are of considerable value; but some of the
names employed are rather puzzling. Many are unaware that
Cleptes is a Magpie, and neither Milvus glaucopus nor M.
glaucopis will be found in the Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. vol. 1.,
or in Gray’s Hand-list.
13. Nicholson on the Birds of the Manchester District.
[Notes on the Ornithology of the [Manchester] District. By Francis
Nicholson. Published for the Meeting of the British Association at
Manchester. Sm. 8vo. 1887. ]
This unpretending little pamphlet is a model of its kind,
conveying precisely the amount and the class of information
that visitors to the British Association would require. The
number of species of birds to be met with in and around that
smoky manufacturing city is really surprising, and we know
that the record is true.
14. ‘ Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society’s Trans-
actions.’
[Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society’s Transactions, vol. iv. pt. iii.
Norwich: 1887. ]
There are several original ornithological papers in this
Part. Colonel H. W. Feilden gives an account of Com-
modore A. H. Markham’s voyage to Hudson’s Bay in the
summer of 1886, with a list of the birds and other objects of
Recently published Ornithological Works. 137
zoology obtained. The Rev. H. A. Macpherson writes on
Hybrid Finches; and Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., gives an
account of the periodical movement of Gulls as observed on
the Norfolk Coast. The most important contribution is un-
doubtedly the conclusion of the “ List of Norfolk Birds ” by
Messrs. J. H. Gurney, jun., and T. Southwell, making the
total of species recorded 288, with information up to the
latest date possible.
15. Pelzeln and Madardsz on the Pipride.
{ Monographie der Pipridae oder Manakin-Végel von August von Pel-
zeln und Dr. Julius von Madarész unter Mitwirkung von Dr. Ludwig von
Lorenz. Lief. 1. 4to. Budapest: 1887.]
The first part of Herr v. Pelzeln and Dr. J. v. Madarasz’s
Monograph of the Pipridz has now been issued, and con-
tains figures of the following species :—
Piprites pileatus. Piprites griseiceps.
Piprites chloris. Masius chrysopterus.
Piprites chlorion. Masius coronulatus.
Piprites tschudii.
The authors seem to be rather doubtful about Piprites
tschudii of Cabanis, which appears to have been described
from a specimen in spirit, and we are not sure that their
identification of the sexes of P. chlorion is quite correct.
16. Ridgway’s Manual of North-American Birds.
[A Manual of North American Birds. By Robert Ridgway. Ilus-
trated by 464 outline drawings of the generic characters. Philadelphia
(Lippincott): 1887. 1 vol. large 8vo, 632 pp. |
The object of the present volume, as we are told in the
preface, “is to furnish a convenient manual of North
American Ornithology, reduced to the smallest compass by
the omission of everything that is not absolutely necessary
for determining the character of any given specimen, and
including, besides the correct nomenclature of each species,
a statement of its natural habitat and other concomitant
data.”
In classification, nomenclature, and numeration Mr. Ridg-
-
138 Recently published Ornithological Works.
way follows the ‘Check-list of North American Birds ’
issued in 1886, already well known to all ornithologists, the
additions to the North-American Avifauna made since the
issue of that work being interpolated in their proper places.
Certain extralimital species have been also introduced, but
these are distinguished by a peculiar type.
The collections of North-American Birds and Eggs belong-
ing to the National Museum, which are stated to embrace
about 86,000 skins and 38,400 eggs, have naturally furnished
the greater part of the material for this important work,
which was originally projected by the late Prof. Baird, and
has now been elaborated and completed by one of his favourite
pupils, whom he had specially designated for the task. It is
certain that these splendid collections could not have been
utilized to a better purpose than for the preparation of such
a summary of our knowledge of North-American ornitho-
logy as is now before us. With such antecedents, the work
will, no doubt, be generally adopted in America as the
authorized manual of Nearctic Ornithology ; though we can
hardly believe that the extensive changes which (following
the Check-list) it proposes to effect in nomenclature will
find ready acceptance in other parts of the world.
The total number of species credited to the Nearctic Avi-
fauna in the present work is 768, besides numerous sub-
species. ‘The generic characters are illustrated in 124 plates
of a diagrammatic character, which would have been of still
greater value had it been possible to introduce them into the
text.
Four new generic terms are proposed in this work, namely,
Neofalco for Falco albigularis, Daud., and F. deiroleucus,
Temm.; Nuttallornis for Tyrannus borealis, Sw.; Burrica for
Fringilla mexicana, Mill. ; and Chamethlypis for Geothlypis
poliocephala, Baird. Thirty-nine species and sub-species are
described for the first time, namely, Ortalis vetula pallidi-
ventris (Yucatan) ; Oidemia (Melanetta) stejnegeri (Kamts-
chatka to Japan); Coccyzus americanus occidentalis; Coc-
cyzus maynardi; Dryobates villosus maynardi (Bahamas) ;
D. scalaris sinaloensis (Western Mexico) ; D. arizone frater-
Recently published Ornithological Works. 139
culus (South-western Mexico); ache lawrencei (Tres
Marias) ; Platypsaris insularis (Tres Marias) ; Mytodynastes
audax insolens (South-eastern Mexico); Myiarchus brachy-
urus (Nicaragua) ; Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca; A.
eyanotis (Mexico) ; Corvus corax principalis ; C. americanus
hesperus ; Agelaius pheniceus sonoriensis ; A. pheniceus bry-
anti; Pinicola enucleator kadiaka; Carpodacus mexicanus
ruberrimus ; Plectrophenax nivalis townsendi; Cardinalis
cardinalis yucatanicus (Yucatan) ; Passerina parellina indi-
gotica (South-western Mexico); P. sumichrasti (Tehuan-
tepec); P. versicolor pulchra; Piranga flammea (Tres Marias) ;
Piranga leucoptera latifasciata (Costa Rica and Veragua) ;
Ptilogonys cinereus molybdophanes (Guatemala); Lanius
ludovicianus gambeli; Vireo crassirostris flavescens (Bahamas) ;
Compsothlypis graysoni (Socorro) ; Geothlypis (Chame-
thlypis) palpebralis (South-eastern Mexico) ; Thryothorus ma-
culipectus umbrinus (Guatemala) ; 7. maculipectus canobrun-
neus (Yucatan) ; Polioptila cerulea cesiogaster (Bahamas) ;
Columbigallina passerina socorroensis (Socorro) ; Megascops
hastatus (Western Mexico) ; Phalenoptilus nuttall califor-
nicus; Parus stoneyi and Regulus satrapa aztecus (Mexico).
17. Ridgway on a new Cotinga.
[ Description of a new Species of Cotinga from the Pacific coast of Costa
Rica. By Robert Ridgway, P. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 1.]
“ Cotinga ridgwayi, Zeledon, MS.,”’ is similar in colour to
C. amabilis, but the seapulars and interscapulars are more ex-
tensively black centrally, a black line borders the base of the
upper mandible, there is a black space in front of the eye,
and the purple patch on the breast is smaller, besides other
differences. The typical specimens are from Western Costa
Rica, but the “ Bogota” skins in the National Museum of
the U.S.A. agree in all essential particulars.
18. Ridgway on a new Spindalis.
[Description of a new form of Spindalis from the Bahamas. By Robert
Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 3.]
The form (Spindalis zena townsend?) is from Abaco Island,
140 Recently published Ornithological Works.
and has the back either entirely olive or much mixed with
this colour instead of black as in S. zena.
19. Ridgway on the female of Carpodectes antonie.
[Description of the adult female of Carpodectes antonie, Zeledon, with
critical remarks, notes on habits, &c., by José C. Zeledon. By Robert
Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 20.]
The female, now first described, is different from the male.
Mr. Zeledon, to whose researches this discovery is due, is of
opinion that the same dissimilarity will be found to exist
between the sexes of C. nitidus.
20. Ridgway on a new Porzana.
[ Description of a new Species of Porzana from Costa Rica. By Robert
Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 111.]
Porzana alfari is similar to P. albigularis, but has the
black bars on the flanks much broader. A synopsis of the
allied species of the group is added.
21. Ridgway on Ardea wuerdemanni.
[Notes on Ardea wuerdemanni, Baird. By Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S.
N. M. 1887, p. 112.]
Mr. Ridgway’s notes are based on eight specimens of this
rare Heron, obtained by Mr. Stuart in December 1886, on
the Florida Keys. It seems to be “‘ a permanent form, and
if not a colour-phase of A. occidentalis, to be, probably, a
distinct species.”
22. Ridgway on an Arizonan Trogon.
[ Trogon ambiguus breeding in Arizona. By Robert Ridgway. Pyr.U.S.
N. M. 1887, p. 147.]
A specimen of Trogon ambiguus im first plumage, received
by the National Museum from the Huachuca mountains,
Arizona, seems to prove that this Trogon breeds in that
locality. ‘The specimen is described.
23. Ridgway on a new Dendrocolaptine Bird.
[ Description of a new Genus of Dendrocolaptine Bird from the Lower
Amazon. By Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 151.]
Recently published Ornithological Works. 141
Picolaptes rikeri, Ridgw. (Pr. U.S. N. M. ix. 523), is ele-
vated to generic rank under the title Berlepschia, Graf v. Ber-
lepsch having pointed out its “radical differences”? from
Picolaptes, and its near alliance to Pseudocolaptes.
24. Ridgway on a new Phacellodomus.
[Description of a new Species of Phacellodomus from Venezuela. By
Robert Ridgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 152.]
Phacellodomus inornatus is a Venezuelan form of Ph. fron-
talis, distinguished by the want of any tinge of rufous on the
forehead.
25. Ridgway on two new Owls.
[ Description of two new Species of Kaup’s genus Megascops. By Robert
nidgway. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 267. ]
The species characterized are M. vermiculatus, from Costa
Rica (near to Scops nudipes), and M. hastatus, from Mazatlan
(near to S. brasilianus).
26. Scully on the Mammals and Birds of Northern Afghan-
astan.
{On the Mammals and Birds collected by Captain C. E. Yate, on the
Afghan Boundary Commission, in Northern Afghanistan. By J. Scully.
J.A.S. B. vol. lvi. pt. 2, p. 68.]
The collection made by Capt. Yate consists of examples of
110 species : one of the most interesting is Sylvia mystacea,
Ménétr., which was described and figured by Mr. Blanford,
in his ‘ Zoology of Eastern Persia,’ under the name of Sylvia
rubescens, and its occurrence on the Murghab and at Mai-
manah considerably extends its previously known range
northward and eastward.
27. Shufeldt on the Skulls of Turkeys.
[A Critical Comparison of a series of Skulls of the Wild and Domesti-
cated Turkeys. By R. W. Shufeldt. Journ. Comp. Med. & Surg. July
1887. |
142 Recently published Ornithological Works.
Dr. Shufeldt has compared a series of skulls of the Wild
Turkey obtained in New Mexico, and referable to Meleagris
gallopavo mexicana, with a series of skulls of the domestic
bird procured at Chicago, and points out their differences.
The memoir is illustrated by excellent woodcuts, prepared
from drawings made by the well-known “cunning hand”’ of
this naturalist.
28. Sousa on Birds from Itha do Principe.
{Aves da Ilha do Principe colligidas pelo Sr. Francisco Newton. Por
José Augusto de Sousa. Jorn. Sci. Math. Phys. e Nat. Lisboa, xii.
p- 42.]
Our previous authorities on the Birds of [ha do Principe,
in the Bight of Benin, are Dohrn (P. Z.S. 1866, p. 324)
and Keulemans (Ned. Tijdsch. v. d. Dierk. 1865, p. 374).
Sr. F. Newton has lately sent collections from this island to
the Lisbon Museum, amongst which are examples of five
species not mentioned by the above-named authors. Of
these an account is now given.
29. Sousa on Birds from Mozambique.
[Lista das Aves de Mogambique (Districto de Cabo Delgado) colligidas
pelo Sr. Augusto Cardoso. Por José Augusto de Sousa. Jorn. Sci. Math.
Phys. e Nat. Lisboa, xii. p. 45. | .
M. de Sousa gives us a list of 12 species, of which spe-
cimens occur in a second collection of birds made by Sr. A.
Cardoso in the district of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. Of
these, Campethera cailliaudi, Sygmodus tricolor, and Fringil-
laria cabanisi were new to the Lisbon Museum.
30. Stejneger on Japanese Birds.
[Review of Japanese Birds. By Leonhard Stejneger. IV. Synopsis of
the Genus Turdus. V. Ibises, Storks, and Herons. P. U.S. N. M. 1887,
pp. 4, 271.]
In Part IV. of his series on the Birds of Japan, Dr.
Stejneger describes a new Thrush, allied to 7. chrysolaus,
as Turdus jouyi, and gives a synopsis of the Japanese species
Recently published Ornithological Works. 143
of the genus. In Part V. he reviews the Ibises, Storks, and
Herons of Japan. bis propingua is held to be probably dis-
tinct from J, melanocephala. The Platalea (maor and minor)
are discussed. A new Reef-Heron is described as Demiegretta
ringert (allied to D. jugularis). A new subgenus (Phoyz) is
proposed for Ardea purpurea.
31. Stejneger on Hawaiian Birds.
| Birds of Kauai Island, Hawaiian Archipelago, collected by Mr. Val-
demar Knudsen, with descriptions of new species. By Leonhard
Stejneger. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 75. ]
We have here an account of the collection of birds formed
by Mr. V. Knudsen on the island of Kauai, in the Hawaiian
Archipelago, and sent to the U.S. National Museum. Kauai
is the most northern of the Sandwich-Island group, and is
separated from Oahu by a channel 70 miles wide. It is very
mountainous and well wooded, so that a rich avifauna was to
be expected. Mr. Knudsen’s collections contain examples
of 20 species, of which 5 are described as new, namely :—
Himantopus knudsent, Chasiempis dolei, Pheornis myiadestina,
Himatione parva, and Oreomyza bairdi. Oreomyza is a new
genus of Diceide. Dr. Stejneger also bases two more new
species of Chasiempis, C. ridgwayt and C. ibidis, on Sclater’s
figures of C. sandwichensis, published in this Journal in 1885
(pl. i. figs. 1 and 2). It is quite possible, as Sclater has
allowed in his article, that the two forms may belong to
different species and not to sexes of the same species. But
if such be the case, according to our views, both of them were
provided with names in the last century by Gmelin*, and we
see no justification for giving them new ones. In our opinion
C. ridgwayi, Steju.=C. sandwichensis (Gm.), and C. ibidis,
Stejn. (if distinct) = C. maculata (Gm.). Itis a pity that Dr.
Stejneger, with so much good material before him, should
think it necessary to manufacture “new species” out of
other people’s figures without seemg the specimens. At the
same time we fully acknowledge the great value of the pre-
* See Sclater’s remarks ‘ Ibis,’ 1885, p. 18.
144: Recently published Ornithological Works.
sent contribution towards our knowledge of the Hawaiian
avifauna.
32. Stejneger on Palearctic Bullfinches.
[ Notes on the Northern Palearctic Bullfinches. By Leonhard Stejneger,
Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 103.]
Dr. Stejneger considers that it is now “ fairly proven”
that Pyrrhula cassini, Baird, is the female of the species sub-
sequently named by Cabanis P. cineracea. He adds a
synopsis of the other species of Pyrrhula inhabiting the
northern Palearctic Region, which he names as follows :—
(1) P. pyrrhula (i. e. P. major, auct.); (2) P. pyrrhula
europea; (3) P.pyrrhula kamtschatica; (4) P. griseiwentris ;
and (5) P. kurilensis. Dr. Stejneger’s remarks on the vexed
question of P. rosacea will be read with interest.
33. Steyneger on the Birds of the Commander Islands.
[Contributions to the Natural History of the Commander Islands.
No. 7. Revised and Annotated Catalogue of the Birds inhabiting the
Commander Islands. By Leonhard Stejneger. Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887,
p 217.
This is a second edition of Dr. Stejneger’s previous paper
on the same subject (U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. No. 29), which
the considerable material lately accumulated has induced him
to prepare. The present list contains the names of 143
species, and much additional information ou many of them.
Larus schistisagus is fully discussed, and all doubts as to its
specific validity are considered to be removed. Philacte
canagica is an interesting addition to the Avifauna of Bering
Island. Under the head of Falco rusticolus will be found
remarks on Hierofalco grebnitzkii of Severtzow.
d4. Steyneger on a new Fruit Pigeon.
| Description of a new species of Fruit Pigeon (Lanthenas jouyi) from
the Liu Kiu Islands, Japan. By Leonhard Stejneger. ‘American Na-
turalist,’ 1887, p. 583. |
lanthenas jouyi is the representative of I. ianthina of
Japan, in the Liu Kiu group.
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 145
35. Townsend’s Field-notes on Californian Zoology.
{Field-notes on the Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles of Northern Cali-
fornia. By Charles H. Townsend, Pr. U.S. N. M. 1887, p. 159.]
This paper contains a series of field-notes on the birds of
Northern California by a well-known explorer. About 260
species are known from California north of the 40th parallel,
of which more than 200 were met with by Mr. Townsend
during his travels in 1883-5, in connexion with the U.S.
Commission on Fish and Fisheries in California.
XII.—Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
We have received the following letters addressed to the
Editors of ‘ The Ibis : ’>—
Northrepps Hall, Norwich,
Noy. 16, 1887.
Sirs,—The Norwich Museum has lately obtained through
the good offices of Professor Menzbier a specimen of Scops
brucei (Hume), collected in Turkestan by the late Dr. Severt-
zoft at Utch-Kurgan, a town near the river Syr- Daria.
Professor Menzbier informs me that the specimen sent
by him is of the same species as that for which Dr. Cabanis
proposed the specific name of “ obsoletus”” in the Journ. fiir
Orn. for 1875, p. 126, founded on two specimens in the
Berlin Museum, one from Bokhara, and the other from
Syria.
Mr. Hume’s specific name of “ drucei”’? having been pub-
lished in November 1872, has priority.
Mr. Charles Cross, who resides on the island of Negros,
in the Philippine group, has lately presented me with some
birds collected by him on that island, amongst which is an
adult skin of Polioaétus ichthyaétus (Horsf.), a species which
I believe has not been hitherto recorded from the Philippine
Islands.
This specimen, which has been placed in the Norwich
Museum, was killed near a river on the 6th January, and its
crop contained fish.
I am &c.,
s J. H. Gurney.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. iv
146 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
Ootacamund,
Oct. 29, 1887.
Sirs,—I had hoped to have been able to send you papers
on the birds I collected on the Anamullai Hills and in Tra-
vancore, but a press of work has prevented my doing so; and
as I have now to go to Singapore with as little delay as
possible to take up my appointment as Curator and Librarian
of the Raffles Museum, I may not have the time to finish
the papers. I would wish, however, to put on record a few
facts about the birds which I collected.
I have to add two species to Mr. Bourdillon’s list of Tra-
vancore birds, viz., Alseonax muthei, Layard, of which I
obtained four males, and Zosterops ceylonensis, Holdsworth,
of which I obtained six specimens. I also got four specimens
of Callene albiventris, Fairbank, and numerous specimens of
Trochalopteron meridionale, Blanford, and Alcippe bourdilloni,
Hume. All these birds were obtained late in December and
early in January, on the Chimpani Hills dividing Travancore
Territory from the Tinevelly District.
Mr. T. Fulton Bourdillon has lately sent me a specimen
of Batrachostomus moniliger, Layard, and one of Lyncornis
bourdilloni, Hume. Of this latter he says, writing from
« Camp Konegur”’ :—
“This bird seems to be local, but not uncommon where it
does occur, for I have seen one or two every night for the
last two or three weeks since I have been here. They come
out, however, very late; just as the last tinge of colour is
fading out of the sky, one may see one or two of these birds
sailing over the fields, seldom flapping their wings, but
quartering the ground hke a Harrier. They do not remain
in one place, but travel about a great deal, but seem to
return to the same neighbourhood night after night, unless
one is shot, when they all disappear for four or five days.
“Asarule they fly slow, at about the same pace as a Harrier,
except when moving from one place to another, when they
go at a great pace, striking the air with vigorous wings.”
The only novelty as to locality that I have to record from
the Anamullai Hills is Pycnonotus xantholemus, Jerdon. I
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 147
obtained one specimen, the only one I saw during my stay
of nearly two weeks on these hills; I was attracted to it by
its peculiar note, and I was within five or six yards of it in
dense bramble scrub before I saw it. I fortunately had my
air-cane in my hand, and secured it. (I may remark en
passant that a No. | air-cane made to carry shot is the finest
collecting-gun in existence; with one tenth of an ounce of
No. 12 shot it will bring down a Thrush at 20 yards, and
at even 5 or 6 yards distance a small bird like a Wren
Warbler may be killed that will make a perfect specimen.)
I sent my collector on two occasions to the Anamullais
specially to try and collect more specimens of this bird; but
he failed to get any, so the bird must be rare so far south
and west. Dr. Jerdon’s specimens were collected in the
Eastern Ghats near Nellore, a little to the north of 14° of
N. latitude ; my specimen was obtained about as far north of
10° of N. latitude, and considerably to the west—in fact
nearer to the Western than the Hastern Ghats. My speci-
men was obtained at 4020 feet elevation.
Mr. Sharpe has catalogued one specimen of this Pycnonotus
(Cat. of B. Brit. Mus. vol. vi. p. 146) from “ Madras.” This
locality is as valuable as the locality “India,” annexed to many
specimens,
Mr. Sharpe’s description is evidently taken from a very
faded specimen, and hardly gives a fair idea of what the bird
is really like.
In conclusion, I may say that I have complete lists of all
the birds I have collected and certainly identified from the
Anamullai Hills, Travancore, and the Nilgiri Hills, and if
you think these would be of interest I shall be glad to send
them to you; but they are only lists, with occasionally a few
short remarks.
Yours truly,
W. Davison.
P.S.—I have forgotten to mention that I found Phyllo-
scopus magnirostris, Blyth, very common on the Travancore
Hills, quite the most common of the Phylloscopi, not except-
148 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
ing P. viridanus, which I have usually, in Southern India,
found the most common species, except on the plateau of the
Nilgiri Hills, where from the end of December to the end of
March P. affinis, Tick., literally swarms about the fallow
land and adjoining scrub. I obtained nineteen specimens of
P. magnirostris, Blyth, on the Travancore Hills, and could
easily have collected fifty specimens during the short time I
was there.
Srrs,—I am interested and perplexed at the same time by
Mr. Ridgway’s letter on the breeding-plumage of Podiceps
occidentulis, Lawr. Mr. Ridgway states truly that the
breeding-plumage of P. occidentalis is described in the
‘Water-Birds of North America’ (ii. p. 422). But that
description does not comprise the words printed in italics in
his letter to you— from numerous specimens obtuined on the
breeding-grounds, together with their eggs and young.” I had
looked through the account in the ‘ Water-Birds’ carefully.
I had noticed that while the date of capture of the adult
winter specimen described is given, there is no such note on
the specimen described as being in breeding-plumage. Prof.
Baird, in his ‘ Birds,’ p. 894, states that at that time its
breeding-plumage was unknown, and anticipates that in its
nuptial attire it will make a grand display. This anticipa-
tion, it seems, has been disappointed. I believe, though I
may be in error, that Mr. Donald Gunn visited Shoal Lake
before Prof. Baird wrote. None of the dated specimens
given in the ‘Survey’ were captured during the breeding-
season. My specimen was obtained in Vancouver’s Island
by Mr. R. Brown, who worked then with Mr. Hepburn, and
Mr. Brown simply gives the name without any note in his
catalogue of Vancouver Island Birds (Ibis, 1862, p. 427).
Under the circumstances, and especially considering that the
publication in the ‘ Water-Birds’ in 1884 seems to have
been the first published description of the breeding-plumage
of P. occidentalis, albeit,as Mr. Ridgway states, “long known
to American ornithologists,” I think it is to be regretted
that the authors of the ‘ Water-Birds’. did not more dis-
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 149
tinctly express the fact and give more details. The question
now remains, What is my Vancouver Island bird, if not, as
supposed by Mr. Brown, P. occidentalis? I shall be very
glad, if it be wished, to send the specimen for inspection by
our brothers across the Atlantic.
Yours truly,
H. B. Tristram.
29th Nov., 1887.
3 Kensington Gardens Square,
London, W.
Sirs,—I have pleasure in stating that an example of the
Isabelline Wheatear (Sazicola isabellina) was shot at Aigle
Gill, near Allonby, Cumberland, on the 11th of November,
1887.
The bird was first observed on that day by Messrs. Thomas
and Richard Mann, tenants of Aigle Gill farm. The weather
was fine but dull, with a sight wind from the north. The
bird made its appearance in a field which Messrs. Mann were
sowing with corn, and was quite alone. It perched upon
clods of earth after the habit of S. wnanthe, but appeared to
be less lively in its movements than that species. It was
unsuspicious of danger and was easily approached. Having
had a visit from Mr. Senhouse and myself only six days
earlier, when I begged my friends to continue to search for
doubtful Wheatears, and struck by the light colour of this
late bird, Messrs. Mann decided to shoot it forme. It was
therefore shot by Mr. Thomas Mann, and posted to me the
same day.
I received the bird the following day in fine condition, and
took it to Mr. Howard Saunders, who kindly pointed out to
me its identity with specimens of S. tsabellina in his posses-
sion. ‘The bird was also examined in the flesh by Mr. Sharpe,
but especially by Mr. Seebohm, who compared it in my
presence with his extensive series of Saxicoline. Mr. Hart-
ing saw the specimen before skinning, so did Mr. G. E.
Lodge, who made a coloured sketch of it. The bird was
also exhibited on my behalf by Mr. Howard Saunders, at a
meeting of the Zoological Society of London on Dee. 6th.
150 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
It proved upon dissection to be a female, and the retention
of some delicate bars upon the lower breast seems to indicate
that it is a bird of the year. The irides were dark hazel, legs
and bill black. Total length 6°5 in., wing 32 in. The
stomach was empty.
The Isabelline Wheatear is most readily distinguished from
Saxicola enanthe by its white under wing-coverts and by the
greater extent of the black upon the rectrices.
The Isabelline Wheatear is new to Western Europe. Its
range eastward and southward is extensive, including Somali-
land and Nubia, Palestine, Asia Minor, Greece, the Cau-
casus, Afghanistan, and the N.W. Provinces of India; in
Russia, Mr. Seebohm received eggs of this Chat from Sarepta ;
he has also two skins from Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. It visits
the region of Lake Baikal on migration, brecds commonly in
Daiiria, and was obtained by Pere David in the neighbour- .
hood of Pekin. It has been recorded from Madagascar.
Yours &e.,
H. A. MacPHeErson.
The Turati Collection.—The collection of birds formed by
the late Count Ercole Turati is now in the Museo Civico of
Milan, where it occupies the uppermost story, and is not
very conveniently lodged. It contains 20,618 specimens,
nearly the whole of which are mounted. Amongst them are
the whole of the Malherbe collection of Picidz and the
Verreaux collection of Trochilide, also examples of such
rarities as Nestor productus, Serresius galeatus, Bourcieria
traviesi, and Alca impennis. Although the specimens are in
excellent order, much more space is required for their proper
exhibition, and we accordingly learn with pleasure that the
Milanese authorities contemplate the erection of a new
building for the Museo Civico in another part of the Public
Garden.
The Breeding-habits of Flamingoes—Mr. H. A. Blake,
late Governor of the Bahamas, has contributed to the
December number of the ‘ Nineteenth Century’ a very in-
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 151
teresting account of his visit to a breeding-place of the
North-American Flamingo (Phenicopterus ruber) on the
Island of Abaco, Bahamas. Mr. Blake is not aware that the
vexed question of the mode in which the Flamingo sits upon
its eggs has already been settled by Mr. A. Chapman (see
Ibis, 1884, p. 88); but his observations are of none the less
interest as confirming those made on our European species.
Mr. Blake visited the Flamingo-colony on Abaco on the
7th of June, and after describing his preliminary adventures,
continues as follows :—‘ At length, having crawled under the
roots of the dwarf mangroves that cover the slob like a net-
work of croquet-hoops, we found ourselves at the edge of
the marl, and within one hundred and fifty yards of the
birds, who were still undisturbed. Here, with my glasses, I
could see every feather, note the colour of the eyes, and
watch every movement. There were, we calculated, between
seven hundred and a thousand birds, and a continuous low
goose-like cackling was kept up. Never did I see a more
beautiful mass of colour.
“The male birds had now all got together, standing about
five feet high, and with necks extended and heads erect, were
evidently watching events, preserving in the meantime a
masterly inactivity. Now and again one would stretch out
his great black and scarlet wings, but the general effect was
the most exquisite shade of pink, as the feathers of the breast
and back are much lighter than those of the wings.
“The hens sat on the nests, and some were sitting down
in the muddy lagoon. I watched them carefully for nearly
an hour, and looked at every nest to see if the legs were
extended along the side. In no case did I see aleg. I saw
the birds go on to the nests and sit down. I saw them get
up, and step down from the nests. In every instance the
legs were folded under the bird in the usual manner. In
my opinion my observation settles the point as to the mode
of sitting; for even if, as I had been assured, the birds sit
both ways, it is improbable that among the hundreds then
sitting not one would have extended the legs. Remembering
the great length of the Flamingo’s legs, it is evident that on
152 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
a new nest, not more than eight inches high, the hen could
not thus sit, nor would even the highest nest allow of the
legs being extended while the bird sat upon it.”
The B.M. Catalogue of Birds ——The 12th volume of the
‘Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum’ is now nearly
ready for issue. It will contain the account of the Frin-
gillidee, and is by Mr. Sharpe, who will also prepare the next
(13th) volume, which will be devoted to the Ploceide,
Sturnide, Alaudidz, and other smaller groups, and conclude
the Oscines. Sclater has undertaken the 14th volume, which
will contain the Tyrannide, Cotingidee, and all the other
Oligomyodian families, and has nearly finished his MS. on
this subject. Sclater will also catalogue the 'Tracheophone,
which will fill the 15th volume. We are glad to hear that
Mr. Salvin has already commenced work on the 'Trochilide,
of which our National Collection possesses the unrivalled series
comprised in the Gould and Salvin-Godman collections. The
Trochilide will make up the 16th volume.
Sale of a Great Auk’s Egg.—At Mr. J.C. Stevens’s Auction
Rooms, in King Street, Covent Garden, on the 13th of De-
cember last, a large number of ornithologists assembled to
witness the sale of an egg of the Great Auk. Before offering
the lot, Mr. Stevens remarked that, in 1880, two eggs of this
bird, both of which had been broken, were sold by him, and
that they fetched 100 and 102 guineas respectively. Of the
recorded eggs, he said, 25 were in eighteen public museums,
and 41 in nineteen private collections—43 out of the 66 being
in Great Britain. The first bid of 50 guineas was made by
a well-known ornithologist, and this was followed by 60
guineas from Mr. L. Field, to whom the egg was eventually
knocked down at 160 guineas. The egg is one of ten which
were discovered by Professor Newton in a glass case in the
upper gallery of the inmost room of the Museum of the
College of Surgeons, in 1861; four of which were sold at
Stevens’s on July 11th, 1865, when this specimen (Lot 142)
fetched thirty guineas.
Pt Be lns,
FIFTH SERIES.
No. XXII. APRIL 1888.
XIII.—Notes on Woodpeckers.—No. XIV. On the Genus
Gecinus. By Epwarp Hareirt, F.Z.S.
{Concluded from p. 42. |
8. GECINUS SQUAMATUS.
Picus squamatus, Vig. P. Z. 8. 1830, p. 8; Gould, Cent.
B. Himal. M. pl. xlvin. (1832) ; Jard. & Selby, Il. Orn. in.
pl. eviii. ¢ (circa 1835); Blyth, J. A. 8S. B. xu. p. 998 (1843) ;
Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. 11. p. 659 (1856-58) ;
Leith Adams, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 173; Sundev. Consp. Av.
Picin. p. 59 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn. ii. p. 180 (1876).
Picus dimidiatus (non Temm.), Gray, Hardw. Ill. Ind.
Zool. i. pl. xxix. fig. 1 (1830-32).
Malacolophus squamatus, Swains. Classif. B. i. p. 308
(1837).
Chrysoptilus squamatus, Vig. P. Z. 8. 1841, p. 6.
Brachylophus squamatus v. nepalensis, Hodgs. Icon. ined.
in Brit. Mus. no. 148 (¢ ? ).
Brachylophus squamatus, Hodgs. in Gray’s Zool. Mise.
p. 85 (1844).
Gecinus squamalus, Gray, Gen. B. il. p. 438 (1846) ; Blyth,
SER. V.— VOL. VI. M
154 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 57, no. 260 (1849); Bp. Consp.
Gen. Ay. i. p. 127 (1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10
(1854) ; Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 350, no. 801,
pl. dexxvii. figs. 4174-75 (1854) ; Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus.
E.I. Co. ii. p. 659, no. 959 (1856-58) ; Leith Adams, P. Z.S.
1858, p. 475; Jerd. B. Ind. 1. p. 286 (1862) ; Beavan, Ibis,
1867, p. 188; Tytler, op. cit. 1868, p. 202; Pelz. tom. cit.
p- 820; Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 76 (1868); Beavan,
Ibis, 1869, p. 414; Gray, Hand-l. B. 1. p. 192, no. 8684
(1870) ; Jerd. Ibis, 1872, p. 9; Cock & Marsh. Str. F. 1873,
p. 850; Bidd. op. cit. 1880, p. 314; id. Ibis, 1881, p. 49;
Scully, tom. cit. p. 430; id. Str. F. x. p. 102 (1881); Salv.
Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 891, no. 1912 (1882) ; Marshall, Ibis,
1884, p. 410.
Chloropicus squamatus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. 1. p. 131
pl. Ixxviii. figs. 1-3 (1862).
Gecinus flavirostris, Menzbier (ex Zarudnoi, MS.), Bull.
Nat. Mosc. 1886, pt. 1, p. 440.
Gecinus zarudnoi, Menzbier, [bis, 1887, p. 301.
Adult male. Above, including scapulars, uniform vivid
green; wing-coverts uniform green of a darker shade, brighter
along the forearm ; bastard-wing black, with whitish spots ;
primary-coverts similar, but having greyish spots ; quills
dusky, outer webs of the primaries margined at the base with
green and barred with white ; those of the secondaries par-
tially or entirely green, and having indistinct greyish spots ;
inner webs spotted or partially barred with white; shafts
brownish black ; ramp and upper tail-coverts bright green,
the feathers margined and tipped with chrome-yellow ; tail
black, edged at the base with olive-yellow, and barred with
buffy white, the central ones obliquely so, dwarf feather paler
and greener; shafts black at the tip, dusky brown at the
base ; nasal plumes black; base of the forehead and outer
edge of the crown black, slightly varied with grey ; forehead,
crown, and occiput crimson, bases of the feathers leaden
grey varied with black, bases of the nuchal ones black ; a spot
in front of the eye, and a short streak behind it, black ; a
broad yellowish-white superciliary stripe, and another from
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 155
above the base of the upper mandible, passing under the eye
and the ear-coverts ; sides of the face smoky green, varied
with dull greenish white; malar stripe streaked intense
black and white; sides of the neck and hind neck green ;
chin and throat smoky green; fore neck and chest dull yel-
lowish green ; underparts, including under tail-coverts, yel-
lowish white, the feathers with an intermarginal line and
occasional shaft-streak of black or olive-black, and having a
scaly appearance ; under wing-coverts yellowish white, barred
with and having V-shaped markings of black; axillaries white,
tipped with yellow and barred with black: “ irides, a circle
of dark pinkish red round the black pupil, surrounded by a
second ring of light pink; upper mandible horn-coloured at
the base, the tip and the whole of the lower mandible being
of a brightish yellow” (R. C. Beavan). Total length 13°5
inches, culmen 1°85, wing 6°25, tail 4°65, tarsus 1:1; toes
(without claws)—outer anterior 0°8, outer posterior 0°72,
inner anterior 0°63, inner posterior 0°45.
Young male. Upper parts dusky brown, edged with green ;
wing-coverts similar, the greater series barred with greyish
or dingy white ; base of the forehead black varied with grey ;
the feathers of the remainder of the forehead, crown, and
occiput tipped with scarlet (more orange on the occiput) on
a black ground; the bases ieaden grey ; feathers of the rump
and upper tail-coverts margined and tipped with pale chrome-
yellow, and having faint dusky V-shaped markings ; chin,
throat, and fore neck dingy buffy white; sides of the neck
ashy brown, the tips of the feathers greenish, and having a
subterminal blackish spot; from the chest to the vent in-
elusive dull white, with a shght tinge of yellow, the chest
being more ashy yellow, and the whole of the feathers having
an intermarginal V-shaped blackish marking with a white
centre; under tail-coverts greyish white, with similar mark-
ings and white centre; under wing-coverts white, spotted
and varied with blackish.
A young male in the Hume collection, from Simla, July
20th (A. O. Hume), rather older than the one above described,
' has the whole of the upper parts uniform green, or nearly so,
M 2
156 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
the feathers having lost their dusky-black centres ; there is
more red on the top of the head, and above the white super-
ciliary stripe there is a blackish-brown one bordering the red
crown; the spotting on the side of the neck is less marked,
and this, as well as the chin, throat, and chest are of a richer
buff-colour, the underparts being also more of a buffy yel-
lowish ; the soft parts are given as follows: “legs and feet
greenish horny; irides brown; bill dusky yellow on upper
mandible, yellow on lower mandible.”
Adult female. Differs from the male in the absence of red on
the crown and occiput, these parts being black, the feathers
of the former margined with smoky grey, and having a
streaked appearance, the bases being leaden grey ; chin and
throat lighter: “irides, a circle of dark pinkish red round
the black pupil, surrounded by a second ring of light pink ”’
(R. C. Beavan) : “bill dusky above at base, the rest yel-
lowish ; legs greenish plumbeous ” (Jerdon). ‘Total length
13°5 inches, culmen 1 9, wing 6°35, tail 4°5, tarsus 1°3.
Hodgson, in his series of unpublished coloured drawings of
Nepalese birds, contained in the library of the Zoological De-
partment of the British Museum, figures upon the second plate
bearing the number 148 (there are two with the same
number), under the title of Brachylophus squamatus v. nepa-
lensis, two birds, which are certainly not the adult of G. squa-
matus, and resemble the young of that species except in one
or two points. I may briefly describe the specimens figured.
The female has the rump JOridliant yellow; the throat and
chest with varied and squamate markings of black; the
upper mandible bluish, the under mandible yellow. The
male is similarly marked on the throat, and has the bill
blackish brewn. These birds closely resemble an unmis-
takable young bird in my collection, except that in the latter
the rump is not brilliant yellow, and they are also similar to
a specimen from Murree in the British Museum, and which
I take to be also a young bird, but in this the bill is yellow;
this, however, may not have been so in life. Herr A. vy. Pel-
zeln (bis, 1868, p. 8320) records a male and a female bird
collected by Stoliezka at Pangi, North-west Himalayas, which
Mr. i. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 157
he takes to be the young of G. squamatus. Judging from
Herr Pelzeln’s description, the specimens agree with what
I also take to be the young of this species. One would think
that Hodgson must have been well acquainted with the full-
plumaged G. squamatus, and if so, it is a matter of surprise
that he did not designate his figures as those of the young,
and it is to be regretted that the specimens figured are not
in the British Museum collection. I have not seen a single
Nepalese example of the present species, and as it was not
obtained by Dr. Scully, it is probably rare in that country.
Under the titleof Gecinus flavirostris, Dr. Menzbier (Bull. Nat.
Mose. 1886, pt. i. p. 449) has described a Woodpecker from
the Murgab river, of which the following is the diagnosis :—
« §. Gecino viridi similis, sed rostro flavo ; stria superciliari
lata alba, supra nigro marginata; vitta mystacali nigra, albo-
varia; abdomine virescenti, fusco striato. Habitat ad fl.
Murgab.” Judging from the above diagnosis of the bird,
and from its having been compared, in the first instance,
with G. viridis, and not with G. squamatus, its nearer ally,
I fail to see in what respect it differs from the latter species.
Dr. Menzbier makes no mention of the pale green colour of
lis bird, nor of the darker green barring on the wing-coverts
possessed by G. gorii, and he distinctly states, in the German
description of the species, that the feathers of the underparts
have black central stripes, which do not occur in G. gorii.
I therefore see no reason for concluding that our birds are
identical. Since the publication of Dr. Menzbier’s paper in
1886, this author has stated in ‘ The Ibis’ for 1887, p. 301,
that he has received the typical specimens of his 4’. flaviros-
tris, and that he has seen my description of G. gorii, and has
pronounced both birds to belong to the same species. In
the latter paper in ‘The Ibis,’ Dr. Menzbier tells us that,
while writing, he has before him a specimen of G. squamatus
for comparison, and it is to be regretted that he has not
pointed out the differences between it and his new species,
which he says are nearly allied. Dr. Menzbier considers
that my name of G. gorii must rank as a synonym of the
species originally described by him as G. flavirostris, but
158 Mr. FE. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
which title, he states, cannot stand, as the name has been
previously given by Verreaux to a Woodpecker from Koko-
nor, and he therefore renames his species G. zarudnoit. In
the ‘ Nouvelles Archives du Muséum,’ 1871 (Bull. vu. p. 4),
there is certainly a Woodpecker named, but with a query, as
follows :— Picus? roux & bec jaune (flavirostris), n. sp.?”’
This is apparently the only description of the bird, which was
only seen at Koko-nor, and was presumably written by Abbé
David, and not by Verreaux, who could not have seen the
bird in question. The above-named bird, however, is not a
Gecinus, and is no doubt the well-known Picus hyperythrus.
If (as Dr. Menzbier thinks) our birds are the same, and his
original title, G. flavirostris, 1s preoccupied (two points which
I, however, do not admit), I do not see how he can ignore
my name of G. gorii and rename his species. I shall
retain the latter title for the bird obtained by Dr. Aitchison
at Paddé Sultan, on the Helmand, until it is clearly shown
that Dr. Menzbier’s species is the same, in which case I will
adopt his name of G. flavirostris. It may be that both our
birds are distinct from G. squamatus as well as from each
other; but until Dr. Menzbier points out the differences
between G. flavirostris and G. squamatus, it 1s quite impos-
sible to give the correct synonymy. For the present I give
G. flavirostris and G. zarudnoi as synonyms of G. squamatus,
and I make G. gordi distinct.
The present species ranges from Gilgit in the north, into
Cashmere and Afghanistan, and through the Himalayas to
Kumaonand Nepal. Dr. Scully and Major Biddulph found
it at Gilgit, and the former author (Ibis, 1881, p. 4380)
writes :—‘‘ A permanent resident in the district, found in the
lower valleys from November to May, and during the rest of
the year at an elevation of 9000 feet.’ Capt. G. F. L.
Marshall (Ibis, 1881, p. 49) describes some examples ob-
tained by Major Biddulph :—‘‘'Three specimens shot in De-
cember and January are identical with the Indian type, but
three others obtained in March, at an elevation of 5000 feet,
near Gilgit itself, are remarkable for having the neck, back,
and outer margins of secondaries grey instead of green, while
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 159
the wing-coverts are mixed with green. All three are
females, and in two out of the three some traces of green are
visible among the grey on the lower back, so that it may be
only a phase of plumage of G. sguamatus.’ Dr. Scully (¢. ¢.
p. 430) observes that the specimens referred to by Capt.
Marshall are birds about a year old, with the feathers worn
and faded, and which, at the next moult, would assume their
usual green colour. I have seen one of these birds, which is
in the Hume collection, and I am of the same opinion as
Dr. Scully. In the British Museum are specimens from
Cashmere (Langworthy), and Jerdon also recorded it from
that country. Dr. Leith Adams (P. Z. S. 1859, p. 173),
in his notes on this species, states that it is found in the
“woods and forests of Cashmere and the lesser ranges ;_ pretty
common; solitary in its habits.” In the British Museum
there is an example from Afghanistan (Griffiths). Tytler,
in his “‘ Notes on the Birds collected by Capt. Beavan ”
(Ibis, 1868, p. 202), observes, ‘ Between Simla and Mussoorie,
common at heights of from 5000 to 9000 feet.” Jerdon
found this Woodpecker in the valley of the Sutle]. Hodgson
obtained the young birds in Nepal, and, according to Jerdon,
it is common in Kumaon.
9. GECINUS GORI.
Gecinus squamatus (non Vigors), Swinhoe, Ibis, 1882,
p. 102.
Gecinus gorii, Hargitt, Ibis, 1887, p. 74.
Adult male. Back pale green, with a few dusky V-shaped
markings; rump and upper tail-coverts of the same colour
as the back, but the feathers tipped with chrome-yellow ;
scapulars and wing-coverts pale green, barred with dusky
green, the former having a few dusky V-shaped markings
like the back; bastard-wing black, spotted with creamy
white on both webs; primary-coverts dusky black and simi-
larly spotted, but with a greyer shade of colour ; quills dusky
black, the outer webs of the primaries broadly barred with
creamy white, and more or less washed with green on the
inner feathers, the inner webs spotted with white on the
160 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
margin, these spots on the inner feathers extendmg along
their whole length; the outer webs of the secondaries barred
with drab-grey, tinged with green, the inner webs being
transversely spotted with white on the margin along the
whole length of the feather ; shafts dusky brown; tail yel-
Jowish cream-colour, narrowly barred with blackish brown,
the basal margin of the central feathers washed with yel-
lowish olive, the lateral feathers yellow at the tip; dwarf
feather barred dusky olive and whitish, slightly washed with
green; shafts slaty black, those of the outer feathers browner.
(The head is very much damaged, but it has every appearance
of having been similar to G. squamatus; the top of the head
is red and the malar stripe is black and white.) Throat and
chest uniform dull yellowish, with a green tinge; the re-
mainder of the under surface of the body and under tail-
coverts yellowish white, the feathers of the underparts having
a thread-like intermarginal line or squamate marking of
blackish olive, these markings being paler on the abdomen ;
under wing-coverts yellowish white, transversely varied with
black ; underside of the tail washed with yellow, this colour
being very brilliant on the tips of the feathers. Total length
13 inches, culmen 1°8, wing 6°5, tail 4°7, tarsus 1°2 ; toes
(without claws)—outer anterior 0°82, outer posterior 0°82,
inner anterior 07, inner posterior 0°42.
Adult female. Differs from the adult male m the absence
of red on the head. <As the head, neck, upper back, and
wing-coverts are much damaged in the male, the following
is a description of these parts taken from the female :— Nasal
plumes black; forehead, crown, occiput, and nape intense
black, the bases of the feathers leaden grey ; the face creamy
grey, with a narrow black line behind the eye, the lores
creamy white ; superciliary stripe, also a stripe under the ear-
coverts, creamy white ; cheeks white, striped with black ; chin
and throat creamy buff, shading into yellowish cream-colour
on the chest, and greenish on the side of the neck ; hind
neck and upper back pale green, the feathers of the latter
having a central V-shaped dusky marking; wing-coverts
pale green, barred with a darker shade of green, as in the male.
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 161
This specimen has the outer webs of the secondaries strongly
washed with green (these feathers in the male type being
much worn) ; the tail-shafts are also browner. Total length
13°5 inches, culmen 1°8, wing 6:05, tail 4°6, tarsus 1:15.
G. gorii differs from G. sqguamatus in being of a very pale
green above, the wing-coverts and scapulars barred with a
darker shade of green ; the squamate markings on the under-
parts reduced to a thread-like intermarginal line; the light
bars on the quills as broad, or even broader, than the black
interspaces ; the tail creamy white, narrowly barred with
brownish black, these bars showing but faintly on the under
surface, which is strongly washed with golden yellow.
This bird is a desert form of the Himalayan G. sqguamatus,
and the type specimen, which is in the British Museum, was
brought to this country by Brigade-Surgeon Aitchison, Na-
turalist with the Afghan Delimitation Commission. It was
shot by Captain Gore on the 26th of October 1884, at Padda
Sultan, on the Helmund. The nature of the country in
which G. gorii was found appears to be quite different from
that inhabited by its ally, G. squamatus. Dr. Aitchison
informs me that the only indigenous trees are Populus euphra-
tica and Tamarix articulata, which grow in the bed of the
river, together with numerous small tamarisks and reeds, the
high banks being extremely barren and devoid of anything
in the way of vegetation except salsolaceous scrub.
The female specimen is in the Hume collection, now con-
tained in the British Museum, and was obtained by Dr. Duke
at Quetta, in December 1877, at an altitude of 5500 feet.
10. GECINUS VITTATUS.
Picus vittatus, Vieill. N. Dict. d’Hist, Nat. xxvi. p. 92
(1818) ; id. & Bonn. Enc. Méth. p. 1817 (1823); Drap. Dict.
Class. xiil. p. 505 (1828); Less. Traité, p. 221 (1831); Sundev.
Consp. Av. Picin. p. 59 (1866), pt.; Giebel, Thes. Orn. i.
p. 186 (1876), pt.
Picus affinis, Raff. Trans. Linn. Soe. xiii. p. 288 (1821);
Vig. Mem. Raffl. p. 668 (1830); Less. Compl. Buff. ix.
p- 812 (1837).
162 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Picus dimidiatus, Horsf. Gen. Cat. Jav. B. (1824) ; Valenc.
Dict. Sc. Nat. xl. p. 174 (1828) ; Wagl. Syst. Av. Pécus, sp. 88,
add. sp. 5 (1827); Drap. Diet. Class. xii. p. 507 (1828);
Temm. Pl. Col. texte, 85¢ livr. (1830) ; Less. Compl. Buff. 1x.
Peal 25837)
Gecinus dimidiatus, Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 542; Gray, Gen.
B. ii. p. 439 (1846) ; De Filippi, Cat. Mus. Mediol. p. 2],
no. 794 (1847) ; Blyth (pt.), Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 58,
no. 262 (1849) ; Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. 1. p. 127 (1850) ; id.
Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854); Reichenb. Handb.
Scans. Picine, p. 350, no. 799, pl. dexxi. figs. 4141, 4142
(1854), pt.; Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. 1. p. 660,
no. 960 (1856-58) ; Schomb. Ibis, 1864, p. 257; Vorderman,
Batav. Vog. pt. 2, p. 19 (1882).
Matacalophus dimidiatus, Swains. Classif. B. 1. p. 308
(1837).
Gecinus affinis, Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. ii.
p- 662, no. 964 (1856-58).
Chioropicus dimidiatus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 182,
pl. Ixxvi. figs. 4-6 (1862).
Gecinus vittatus, Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 76 (1868),
pt.; id. Hand-l. B. i. p. 192, no. 8683 (1870), pt.; Salvad.
Uce. Born. p. 51 (1874); Tiraut, Ois. Basse-Cochinchine,
p: 90) (1879); Salv. Cat: Strickl. Coll. p. 390, no: I9TO
(1882).
Adult male. Above, including scapulars, bright yellowish
olive ; wing-coverts uniform golden olive ; bastard-wing and
primary-coverts brownish black, spotted with yellowish grey ;
quills blackish brown, the primaries partially or entirely
margined on the outer webs with golden olive, and both webs
spotted with white; the secondaries having their outer webs
golden olive, the inner webs spotted with white; shafts
brownish black; the feathers of the rump yellowish olive,
broadly tipped with light chrome-yellow ; tail and tail-shafts
black ; forehead, crown, and occiput scarlet, the concealed
portion of the feathers black, with leaden-grey bases ; a nar-
row band of black at the base of the forehead, the latter, as
well as the crown, being edged with black ; a white stripe
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 163
running backwards from above the hind part of the eye;
lores, all round the eye, and sides of the face dingy white ; ear-
coverts mouse-grey ; a broad black malar stripe ; hind neck
greenish yellow ; chin, throat, fore neck, side of the neck, and
chest ochreous yellow, the latter with, at most, oniy a tinge of
green; under surface of the body whitish, with a tinge of
yellow, the feathers having an intermarginal line of olive-
green ; under tail-coverts whitish, with an intermarginal line
and shaft-streak of blackish olive ; the lower series greenish
grey, the underside of the large outer tail-feather spotted
with greyish upon both webs; under wing-coverts white,
tinged with yellow and spotted with black; axillaries white,
with a slight yellow tinge, and barred with blackish. Total
length 12 inches, culmen 1:4, wing 5:3, tail 3°8, tarsus 1'1;
toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°8, outer posterior 0°8,
inner anterior 0°57, inner posterior 04.
Young male. In general coloration and markings like the
adult male, but duller; the forehead, crown, and occiput
orange-scarlet, the feathers of the outer edge of the crown
and occiput black, without red tips, and forming a well-marked
stripe ; the chin and throat ochreous, and the sides of the neck
and the chest less yeilow; under surface of the body more
of a buffy brown, the feathers having dusky striations and a
whitish central stripe, these being fainter than in the adult.
Nestling, male. In general coloration like the older, but
still immature bird, though slightly duller, the chin, throat,
sides of the neck, and the chest uniform ; the remainder of
the underparts nearly uniform, the dark markings found in
the adult being almost obsolete, except on the sides of the
body, flanks, and thighs, the whitish centres to the feathers
being only a shade lighter than the ground-colour ; outer
edge of the forehead and crown, as well as the occiput, and
probably the nape (damaged in this specimen), black ; the
feathers of the forehead and greater part of the crown tipped
with orange-scarlet, this colour forming a conspicuous patch ;
tail uniform black.
Adult female. Differs from the adult male in having the
forehead, crown, and occiput black. Total length 10°5 inches,
culmen 1:22, wing 5, tail 3°7, tarsus 1-1.
164 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Young female. Less golden green on the sides of the neck
and the chest, which are uniform; under surface of the
body brownish white, more smoky brown on the thighs and
under tail-coverts, the dark intermarginal line and shaft-
streak on the feathers being more dusky, the centres of the
feathers more or less white.
Malherbe, in his monograph, gives Picus bengalensis of
Horsfield, in the ‘ Transactions’ of the Linnean Society (xii.
p- 176), asa synonym of the present species ; but Horsfield’s
description does not answer to G. vittatus, and, further, the
latter author gives it to be understood that his P. bengalensis
is the same as that of Linneus. Malherbe also remarks that
the male of the present species figured by Reichenbach
(Handb. Scans. Picine, pl. dexxi. fig. 4141) “is inexact, the
striations on the underparts ascending too high,” and he
further adds, “In the figure of the female, No. 4142, the
striations ascend as far as the throat, and one cannot doubt
that it is the female of G. striolatus, of which the male
is figured, No. 4143.” In my opinion the figure of the male,
fig. 4141, has been taken from G. vittatus, but carelessly done ;
where the mistake occurs is in having varied the side of the
neck with the same markings as on the breast and abdomen,
instead of having left it uniform; the figure of the female is
evidently taken from G. viridanus of Blyth, and not from
G. striolatus, as Malherbe says. The present species differs
from G. viridanus in having the whole of the neck and the
chest uniform ochreous yellow (sometimes with a green tinge)
even in its first plumage. In G. viridanus the chest always has
squamate markings, more or less distinct, similar to those
on the under surface of the body, and the throat and sides
of the neck are varied in a like manner, except in very old
birds. Having examined Raffles’s figures of the male and
female of his Picus affinis, I think there can be little doubt
that they must be referred to G. vittatus. The draughtsman
has represented the birds as having the whole of the neck and
the chest uniform, clearly showing that they are not G. viri-
danus ; but unfortunately there is so little of the breast and
abdomen shown, that the artist has not thought it necessary
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 165
to indicate the elongated squamate markings on these parts
(if they existed), which would prove it to be G. vittatus ; but
Raffles, in the description of his P. affinis, says it is “ cine-
reous or slightly ferruginous below, mixed with brown on the
abdomen,” and this latter character shows that the bird he
had before him was not uniform on the abdomen, as figured,
and the author’s expression, ‘‘ mixed with brown below,”
may apply to the squamate markings on the underparts of
G. vittatus.
The present species was formerly supposed to be confined
to the island of Java, but more recent researches have con-
siderably increased its range, and from specimens which have
come under my notice I am of opinion that a still more ex-
tended range can be proved. There can be no doubt that
G. vittatus occurs in Siam, as there are in the British Mu-
seum several specimens collected in that country by M. H.
Mouhot, also other examples procured at Bangkok by Captain
Conrad. Schomburgk (Ibis, 1864, p. 257) also observed it in
Siam, and I have in my own collection a specimen obtained
in the western part of that country by Herr Carl Bock.
This species also occurs in Cochin China, and, according to
Dr. Tiraut (Ois. Basse-Cochinchine, p. 90, 1879), is tolerably
common in the wooded provinces. The species found by
Dr. Tiraut is the true G. vittatus, but its habitat, as stated
by that author, viz. “ Burmah, Tenasserim, and Malayan
Peninsula, North of Pakchan,’ would lead one to believe
that either he is not acquainted with the species (G. viri-
danus) inhabiting those countries, or that he does not recog-
nize it as distinct from G. vittatus. The latter occurs, how-
ever, in the southern part of the Malayan Peninsula, as will
be shown by an examination of the specimens in the Hume
collection. In this there are several adult examples of G.
viltatus, obtained by Mr. Davison at Jurrum and near Klang,
Salangore, in the months of December, January, and February.
These birds resemble examples from Siam, Cochin China, and
Java. Ihave never seen a single specimen of G. vittatus from
the Malayan Peninsula except those above mentioned, and it
will be interesting to know whether, in the peninsula, the
166 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
species is confined to the neighbourhood of Jurrum and Klang,
Salangore, or whether it extends from Siam, down the whole
eastern half of the peninsula, and ascends the western half
as far as the places where Mr. Davison procured his speci-
mens. If this be the case, it is very remarkable that it has
not been obtained in the more southerly portions of the pen-
insula. That this species inhabits Sumatra, is, | think, proved
by the description and figures of Raffles’s Pieus affinis,
which is evidently G. vittatus. It is probably rare in that
island, as it has not been recorded by any subsequent writer.
The species appears to be fairly common in Java, in which
island the type was obtained. Malherbe, in his monograph,
states that it is found in Borneo, but he gives no authority,
and I agree with Count Salvadori that the statement
requires confirmation. If it exists in the island, it is sur-
prising that none of our well-known collectors have ever
procured a specimen.
11. GEcINUS VIRIDANUS.
Picus squamatus (non Vig.), Blyth, J. A. 8. B. x. p. 923
(1841), g juv.
Picus viridanus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 1000 (1843) ; id.
op. cit. 1844, app. p. 394.
Gecinus dimidiatus (non Temm.), Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As.
Soc. p. 58, no. 262 (1849), pt.; Reichenb. Handb. Scans.
Picine, .p. 350, no. 799, pl. dexxi. figs. 4141, 4142 (1854),
pt.;- Gould, P. Z. S: 1859, p: 150.
Gecinus viridanus, Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 488 (1846) ; id.
op. cit. 1. app. p. 21 (1849) ; Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus.
E.I. Co. 11. p. 660, no. 961 (1856-58) ; Wald. P. Z.S. 1866,
p. 539; Blyth, Ibis, 1870, p. 163; id. & Wald. B. Burm.
p- 76 (1875); Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 390, no. 1909
(1882) ; Oates, B. Brit. Burm. ii. p. 48 (1883).
Picus vittatus (pt.), Sundey. Consp. Ay. Picin. p. 59 (1866);
Giebel, Thes. Orn. 11. p. 186 (1876).
Gecinus vittatus (non Vieill.), Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus.
p. 76 (1868), pt.; id. Hand-l. B. 11. p. 192, no. 8683 (1870),
pt.; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 471; id. & Oates: op-cit. 1875,
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus, 167
pp. 14, 68; Armstr. op. cit. 1876, p. 310; Hume, op. cit.
1877, p. 113; id. & Davison, op. cit. 1878, p. 186; Hume,
op. cit. 1879, pp. 52,160; Bingh. op. cit 1880, p. 163; Oates,
op. cit. x. 19] (1882).
Gecinus weberi, Miil!. Orn. Ins. Salanga, p. 69 (1882).
Adult male, Above, including scapulars, bright yellowish
olive ; wing-coverts slightly darker, the half-concealed por-
tions of the median and greater series showing whitish bars ;
bastard-wing and primary-coverts brownish black, with a few
small white spots; quills black, the outer webs of the pri-
maries having angular spots or notches of white, those of the
secondaries being more or less green, with indistinct lighter
cross markings; the inner webs, of all, notched or spotted
with white ; a few of the inner quills having both webs yel-
lowish olive ; shafts black ; rump chrome-yellow ; upper tail-
coverts yellowish olive; tail black, the feathers notched upon
the base of both webs with pale brown or buffy white ; the two
outermost having minute brown spots along the whole margin
of the outer webs, the tip of the imner web being notched
with the same; shafts black, those of the outer feathers dark
brown ; nasal plumes black; forehead, crown, and occiput
scarlet, the bases of the feathers dark leaden grey, nearly
black on the occiput ; a black line on the edge of the fore-
head and crown ; lores whitish, minutely spotted with black ;
a superciliary stripe running as far the occiput, space under
the eye, and another stripe passing under the ear-coverts,
white ; ear-coverts ashy grey ; and above white, finely streaked
with blackish; large malar patch black, the feathers edged
with white ; hind neck and sides of the neck bright yellowish
olive; chin and upper throat very pale brown, shading into yel-
lowish olive on the lower throat, fore neck, and chest, the
feathers having a dusky or dusky olive intermargiual line and
occasional shaft-streak, giving to the whole a striated appear-
ance; underparts brownish white, washed with green, and
having similar markings, these being more dusky brown on the
abdomen ; under tail-coverts whitish, with a broad deep olive
intermarginal line and shaft-streak ; tibial plumes pale dusky
brown, with lighter spots ; under wing-coverts and axillaries
168 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
white, tipped with yellow, the former barred with dusky
brown, more olive at the tips, the latter barred with dusky
brown without the olive tinge: “ upper mandible and gonys
of lower mandible blackish horny ; rest of lower mandible
pale yellow, the tip horn-black ; eyelids slate-colour ; inides
dark red; feet dusky green ; claws horny brown” (E. W.
Oates). Total length 12 inches, culmen 1°6, wing 5:4, tail
3°9, tarsus 1 25; toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0:97,
outer posterior 0°85, inner anterior 0-7, inner posterior 0-4,
Nestling, male. Differs from the adult male, which it re-
sembles in general coloration and markings, in having the red
on the head more of an orange-scarlet; the ear-coverts
darker; the malar patch almost entirely black ; the under
surface of the body duller, and the white margins and central
stripes to the feathers very much less distinct, and, except on
the sides of the body, smoky in colour, the throat, chest, and
breast having a more uniform appearance ; the abdomen and
thighs smoky brown, the latter having only a tinge of green.
Two young males from Kossoom, Malay Peninsula, May
14th and June Ist (J. Darling, jun.), in the Hume collec-
tion, are not of the same yellowish-olive colour as the nest-
lings described, but are of a rich golden olive above and on the
wings, and the rump, instead of being pale chrome or lemon-
yellow, is golden yellow, and in one specimen with a tinge of
orange, the neck, chest, and breast are also of a rusty golden
olive, thus showing that this rich coloration is not a charac-
teristic of very old birds of this species. ‘The specimen dated
June Ist is the younger bird, and has the chin and throat
nearly uniform, and the darker markings on the chest, breast,
and abdomen are still very faint, the feathers on the sides
of the body and the under tail-coverts being strongly marked.
The other young male, dated May 14th, is evidently an older
bird, and has the top of the head of a brighter and deeper
vermilion-red ; the chin is uniform, the throat lighter and
more of a buffy white, covered with dusky spots, the white
of the malar patch having a spotted character; the dark
markings on the feathers of the underparts are of a different
character from those of the adult ; they are broader, more
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 169
rounded at the extremity, and the white central stripe is
more expanded and drop-like at the tip. Another male from
Kossoom, June 25th (J. Darling, jun.), also in the Hume
collection, is evidently older than these two birds (although
it is still young) and quite of a different character ; the back
and the wings are of the general olive-green colour ; the
throat is brownish white, with dusky stripe-like spots; sides
of the neck brown; the fore neck and chest with only the
faintest tinge of green, the feathers having light centres,
forming an oval spot, with a dark shaft-streak ; the red on
the head of an orange-scarlet.
Adult female. Differs from the male in the absence of the
red upon the crown and occiput, these parts being black, the
feathers of the crown edged with ashy grey: “legs and feet
dull green or dull brownish green; claws greenish horny or
plumbeous ; irides brown or reddish brown ; eyelids plum-
beous or dark grey; lower mandible greenish, or in some
chrome-yellow, except a brown or greenish-brown streak from
the angle of the gonys to the tip, and the tip; upper man-
dible blackish ” (Hume & Oates). 'Total length 11°5 inches,
culmen 1:45, wing 5°15, tail 4, tarsus 1-1.
Nestling, female (April 12th). Differs from the male nest-
ling in having the forehead, crown, occiput, and nape black,
the bases of the feathers grey and darker than in the adult
female, the black on the tips of the feathers of the forehead
and crown being somewhat rounded spots, and not stripe-
hike, as in older birds.
In the Hume collection there is a very curious variety of
a female of the present species, from near Tavoy, May 29th
(W. Davison). It is of a buff-colour, both above and below,
with the usual markings; the rump and upper tail-coverts
are bright olive-yellow, and a few of the feathers of the upper
parts and the concealed portion of some of the secondaries
are green; the feathers of the crown, occiput, and nape are
brown, tipped witha paler brown ; the quills and tail-feathers
are brown, with the usual markings. It is quite clear that
this is only an example of faded plumage, as is shown by the
concealed portions of some of the secondary quills being
SER. V.—VOL. VI. N
170 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
green. The entirely green feathers sparingly distributed over
the upper parts are evidently new feathers. An adult male
from Tavoy, March 16th (W. Davison), also in the same col-
lection, has the feathers composing the malar stripe white,
with very narrow black striations, and not, as is generally the
case, black with narrow white striations. There is also in
the Hume collection a very fine adult male of G. viridanus
from Mergui, November 12th (W. Davison), which has the
throat and chest more uniform than usual, but the feathers
(those of the chest particularly) have faint dusky squamate
markings and striations, and in this respect it differs from
G. vittatus, in which species these parts are entirely uniform
in both young and adult birds. In the last-mentioned ex-
ample there are some red feathers crossing the side of the
neck, and a trace of red upon a few of the upper wing-coverts,
and likewise upon the feathers of the rump.
This species may be distinguished from G. vittatus by its
striated chest and generally striated neck (in some speci-
mens, however, the neck is more or less uniform), the latter
species having the neck and chest always uniform and of an
ochreous yellow instead of yellowish olive or golden olive.
The Woodpecker now under notice differs much in its
general coloration, some specimens having the upper parts
vivid green, and the sides of the neck, the chest, and breast
also green; in others the back is bright golden olive, this
colour also extending on to the sides of the neck, and also on
to the chest and breast. The habitat of this’species is Pegu,
Tenasserim, and, as far as is at present known, extends into
the Malayan Peninsula as far as Salanga. Mr. Eugene Oates
writes, “ It is distributed over all parts of Pegu, and generally
abundant.” Mr. Armstrong considers it rare in Southern
Pegu. It has been recorded from Schouay Goon, Salween
River, by Lord Walden. Messrs. Hume and Davison in-
form us that this species is “ extremely common throughout ~~
Tenasserim, except the hilly portions above 3500 feet eleva-
tion,” and that “it does not ascend the hills north of Pah-
poon, where it is replaced by G. nigrigenis ” (erythropygius).
Capt. Bingham says it is one of the commonest Woodpeckers
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 171
in the Thoungyeen valley. Gecinus weberi of Miiller, from
the island of Salanga, of which I possess several specimens,
is, to my mind, only the dark-green form of G. viridanus,
and cannot be distinguished from some specimens from other
localities. I cannot see why the Salanga bird has been
separated from G. viridanus. I am inclined to think that
Dr. Miller cannot have had a very large series of the latter
species to compare with his Salanga specimens.
12. GECINUS STRIOLATUS.
Brachylophus squamatus (non Vig.), Jerd. Madr. Journ.
1840, p. 213.
Picus striolatus, Blyth, J. A. 8S. B. 1848, xu. p. 1000;
Jerd. Madr. Journ. xi. pt. 2, p. 188 (1844) ; Sundev.
Consp. Av. Picin. p. 60 (1866); Giebel, Thes. Orn. ii.
p- 181 (1876).
Brachylophus xanthopygeus, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Brit.
Mus. nos. 147, 148 (fg 2); id. in Gray’s Zool. Mise.
p. 85 (1844).
Gecinus striolatus, Gray,Gen. B. 1. p. 439; id. Cat.
Mamm, &c. Nepal, pres. Hodgs. p. 117 (1846) ; Blyth, Cat.
B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 57, no. 261 (1849); Reichenb. Handb.
Scans. Picine, p. 350, no. 800, pl. dexxi. fig. 4143 (1854) ;
Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. 11. p. 660, no. 962
(1856-58) ; Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 287 (1862); Gray, Cat. Mamm.
&e. Nepal, pres. Hodgs. 2nd ed. p. 63. (1863); id. List
Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 77 (1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. u. p. 192,
no. 8685 (1870) ; Blanf. Ibis, 1870, p. 464; Elwes, tom. cit.
p. 527; Jerd. op. cit. 1872, p. 9; Legge, Str. F. 1873,
p. 488; Ball, op. cit. 1874, p. 391; Legge, Ibis, 1875, p. 412;
Blyth & Wald. B. Burm. p. 76 (1875); Hume & Oates, Str.
F. 1875, p. 68; Butler, tom. cit. p. 458; Godwin-Austen,
ieee. 5. 1876, p70; Inglis, Str. BF. .1877, p. 26 Rare
bank, tom. cit. p. 8396; Ball, tom. cit. p. 413; Anders. Yun-
nan Exped. 1. p. 585 (1878), pt.; Hume & Davison, Str. F.
1878, vi. p. 186; Davids. & Wend. op. cit. vil. p. 78 (1878) ;
Ball, tom. cit. p. 206; Cripps, tom. cit. p. 262; Godwin-
f Austen, J. A. S. B. 1878, p. 14; Hume, Str. F, 1879, p. 87;
N2
172 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Scully, tom. cit. pp. 247, 368; Butler, B. Sind &c. and Mount
Aboo, p. 19 (1879); id. B. 8S. Bomb. Pres. p. 24 (1880) ; id.
Str. F. 1880, p. 386; Legge, B. Ceyl. p. 194 (1880) ; Oates,
Str. F. x. p. 191 (1882) ; W. Davison, tom. cit- p. 355; Salv.
Cat. Strick]. Coll. p. 390, no. 1911 (1882); Oates, B. Brit.
Burm. u. p. 49 (1883).
Gecinus xanthopygius, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. 1. p. 127 (1850);
id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854) ; Reichenb. Handb.
Scans. Picinz, p. 350, no. 802 (1854).
Chloropicus striolatus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. 1. p. 134,
pl. Ixxvii. figs. 1 & 2 (1862).
Adult male. Above bright yellowish olive, the feathers
margined with brighter yellow; wing-coverts uniform and
darker; bastard-wing and primary-coverts dusky brown, the
former notched with white, the latter edged externally with
green and spotted with dingy white ; quills dusky brown, the
primaries having irregular white markings or bars upon the
outer webs, those of the secondaries being partially or entirely
yellowish olive, spotted or narrowly barred with dingy
whitish ; the inner webs notched and spotted with white; a
few of the inner quills entirely yellowish olive; shafts brownish
black ; rump and upper tail-coverts green, the feathers mar-
gined with deep chrome-yellow ; tail blackish brown, the
basal portion of the feathers margined with green and faintly
notched with light dusky brown; penultimate feather barred
to the tip, and the dwarf one tipped with green ; shafts black at
the tip, brown at the base ; nasal plumes dull black ; feathers
on the base of the forehead dusky, edged with yellowish buff ;
crown and occiput scarlet, the bases of the feathers leaden
grey, those on the edge of the crown being black; a white
superciliary stripe running on to the nape, and becoming
streaked with dusky ; lores, and astripe under the ear-coverts,
white; ear-coverts dusky brown; cheeks whitish, striped
with dark olive and yellowish ; rest of the face whitish
streaked with dusky brown; side of the neck and hind neck
yellowish olive, striped with darker olive; chin, throat,
and fore neck yellow, streaked with olive ; the bases of the
feathers white; entire under surface yellowish white, the
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 173
feathers having an intermarginal line and, occasionally, a
narrow shaft-streak of deep-olive ; chest strongly washed with
yellow ; tibial plumes pale brown; under tail-coverts white,
with a subterminal V-shaped brown marking, and lower
down either a broad shaft-streak or a narrower V-shaped
brown marking; under wing-coverts white, washed with
sulphur-yellow, and having dusky barring and V-shaped
markings of deep olive; axillaries white, tipped with yellow
and having V-shaped dusky brown markings : ‘‘in December,
bill plumbeous dusky, the basal three fourths of the lower
mandible yellowish-green horny; irides carmine-red ; feet
dingy plumbeous” ‘J. Scully). Total length 11 inches, cul-
men 1°35, wing 4°9, tail 3°3, tarsus 1; toes (without claws)
—outer anterior 0°77, outer posterior 0°68, inner anterior
0:55, inner posterior 0:4.
Young male. Differs from the adult male in being of a
slightly darker shade of green above, and in having the red
on the forehead, crown, and occiput more of an orange-
scarlet, the occipital feathers having a patch or spot of black
between the red tip and the grey base; the outer edge of
the forehead and crown being black, and forming a con-
spicuous stripe; nape black, a few of the feathers assuming
orange or scarlet tips ; the ear-coverts darker, and the cheeks
striped with dusky black ; under surface of the body slightly
duller in colour, the green being confined almost entirely to
the throat and chest.
Adult female. Differs from the male in having the fore-
head, crown, and occiput black, the feathers of the forehead
and crown edged with ashy brown, and having a striped
appearance ; the upper parts greener; rump and margins of
the upper tail-coverts paler chrome-yellow; the stripes on
the cheeks more dusky, and the chin and throat more buffy
brown ; the dark intermarginal lines on the feathers of the
underparts fainter and the shaft-streaks broader and more
constant: “iris dark red; legs dusky blue; upper mandible
almost black, lower dusky horny; June 15th” (S. B. Fair-
bank). Total length 11 inches, culmen 1°27, wing 4°9, tail
3d, tarsus 1.
174 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Under the title of Gecinus xanthopygius, Reichenbach
(Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 350, no. 802) describes a bird,
said to be from Java, which he considers as distinct from
G. vitiatus of Vieillot, and referable to the species described
by Hodgson as Brachylophus xanthopygeus. Now, it is
certain that the latter name was bestowed by Hodgson upon
a bird obtained in Nepal, and no one who has seen the un-
published coloured drawings by the latter author, now con-
tained in the library of the Natural History Department of
the British Museum, can have any doubt as to the identity
of Hodgson’s B. xanthopygeus with G. striolatus of Blyth.
Reichenbach’s description of his G. xanthopygius is evidently
taken from the latter species, as the characters given are not
at all such as would lead one to believe that they belonged to
the Javan bird, G. vittatus. I should be more inclined to
think that the habitat stated by Reichenbach is an error,
than that G. striolatus ranges into Java.
G. striolatus bears a striking resemblance to G. viridanus,
but may be distinguished from the latter by the malar patch
being greyish white, narrowly striped with black or dusky
olive, instead of intense black, more or less striped with pure
white, as in G. viridanus, also by having a very conspicuous
white superciliary stripe, and a second white stripe under the
ear-coverts ; by its brilliant yellow rump and upper tail-
coverts, and its more barred tail, the penultimate feather
being conspicuously barred along its whole length; and,
further, by the soft silky character of its plumage. The
same differences in coloration of plumage exist in this species
as in G. viridanus, varying on the upper parts from vivid
green to golden olive, the rump in some specimens being
bright chrome-yellow, in others orange; this applies to both
sexes. Burmese examples exceed in size those from India,
In the former the average length of wing is 5-4 inches,
Indian birds having the average length of wing 5 inches.
Malabar specimens run smaller than those from the Hima-
layas. This Woodpecker has a very wide range, being found
in the Himalayas, Central and Southern India, Ceylon,
Assam, Cachar, and Burmah, and I have reason to believe
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 175
that it also occurs in Siam. Jerdon (Ibis, 1872, p. 9) writes,
“This Woodpecker is very common in the sub-Himalayan
region, from Kumaon to Kashmir, and also in all the low
jungles of the north-west provinces and the Punjab.” In
the British Museum there are numerous examples collected
by Hodgson in Nepal. Dr. Scully, in his Contributions
to the Ornithology of that country (Str. F. 1879, p. 248),
observes that he found it very common in the sal forest
from Bichiakoh to Semrabasa, in December. Mr. Cripps in-
cludes this species in his ‘ List of the Birds of Furreedpore,
Eastern Bengal’; and, according to Mr. Ball, it is found in
the hilly region which extends from the Rajmehal Hills to
the Godaveri Valley. Colonel Butler, in his ‘ Catalogue of
the Birds of Mount Aboo,’ &c., 1879, p. 19, says it is not
very common on Mount Aboo; and the same author (Str. F.
1875, p. 458) states that it is not uncommon in the jungles
at the foot of the Aravalli range, to which Mr. Hume appends
the following note:—‘“‘ but occurs nowhere else, as far as we
know, throughout the whole region.” Messrs. Davidson and
Wenden, in their “ Avifauna of the Deccan” (Str. F. vii.
p- 78, 1878), introduce the following note :—“‘ A Green
Woodpecker, probably this one (G. striolatus) , observed near
the top of the Bhore Ghat in September, not thoroughly
identified.’ Colonel Butler, in his ‘ Catalogue of the Birds
of the Southern Portion of the Bombay Presidency,’ as well
as in ‘ Stray Feathers,’ 1880, p. 386, adds the following in-
formation regarding the species :—“ Rare, obtained by Mr.
Laird in the jungles west of Belgaum, and is probably the
bird referred to by Mr. Davidson as having been observed
on the Bhore Ghat, Kolaba district, in which case it pro-
bably occurs sparingly along the whole of the Sahyadri
range.” Mr. Ball writes, “The small Green Woodpecker is
rather rare in Chota Nagpur, and, so far as my collections
go, confined to the western parts. In the Satpura hills it
was, I think, more abundant.” In his ‘ Birds of India,’
Jerdon states, “I have seen it in Malabar, in low jungles
close to the sea-coast, in bushy ground on the Neilgherries
tolerably abundant, as also on the Eastern Ghats.” Mr. W.
176 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
. Davison, in writing of this species, observes, “ Sparingly
spread through the Wynaad, Mysore, and the Nilghiris; a
few pairs are always to be found in the forests about Oota-
camund, but it is rarer at that elevation than lower down.”
Fairbank obtained it on the Palani Hills at Periur. Of the
range of this species in Ceylon an interesting account is
given by Col. Legge in his admirable work on the birds of
that island. This species is, according to Mr. Inglis, “ very
common in North-eastern Cachar during the cold winter
mouths, and also often seen in the rains.”’ I am inclined to
think that this species also ranges into Assam, as there is in
the British Museum a specimen collected by McClelland in
that country, which I take to be G. striolatus. Mr. Oates,
in treating of this species (B. Brit. Burm. ii. p. 50), writes,
« As far as I have observed it in British Burmah, seems con-
fined to the Prome and Thayetmyo districts, where it 1s very
abundant.’ Mr. Blanford, however, obtained it in the Irra-
waddy delta, and Lord Tweeddale received it from Tonghoo.
I have every reason to believe that this species also occurs in
Siam, as the British Museum collection contains a specimen
obtained at Pitchaburree by M. Pierre in August 1868, which,
I think, must be referred to the present species. It is a young
bird, but certainly neither G. vittatus nor G. viridanus,
judging by its barred tail, and is unlike G. occipitalis in
having the underparts striated, though faintly, and I hardly
think I do wrong in considering it to be the young of G.
striolatus.
13. GECINUS PUNICEUS.
Picus puniceus, Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. xii. pt. 1, p. 176
(1821) ; Raffi. tom. cit. pt. 2, p. 289 (1822) ; Lath. Hist. B.
ii. p. 862 (1822) ; Temm. Pl. Col. eccexxii. (1827) ; Wagl.
(pt.) Syst. Av. Picus, sp. 96 (1827) ; id. Isis, 1829, p. 518;
Vig. Mem. Rafil. p. 668 (1830) ; Less. Traité, 1. p. 222 (1831);
Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 58 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn.
ii. 175 (1876).
Picus gularis, Wagl. Syst. Av. Add. Picus, sp. no. 6 (nec —
NOOO). 9) (1827).
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. Wer
Brachylophus puniceus, Strickl. P. Z. 8. 1841, p. 31; Bp.
Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p. 10 (1854).
Gecinus puniceus, Gray, Gen. B. 1. p. 439 (1846) ; Blyth,
Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 59, no. 270 (1849) ; Wall. Ann. &
Mag. Nat. Hist. xv. p. 96 (1855); Gray, List Picid. Brit.
Mus. p. 77 (1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. ii. p. 192, no. 8687
(1870).
Veniha puniceus, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. 1. p. 128 (1850).
Venilia punicea, Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine, p. 358,
no. 876, pl. dexxviil. figs. 4176, 77, g 2 ad. (1854) ; Horsf.
& Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. ii. p. 664, no. 968 (1856-58) ;
Moore, P. Z. 8. 1859, p. 456.
Chloropicus puniceus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. u. p. 110,
pl. Ixxiv. figs. 5,6, ¢ 9 (1862).
Chrysophlegma puniceus, Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 291 (1862) ;
Blyth & Wald. B. Burm. p. 77 (1875); Oates, B. Brit. Burm.
i. p. 44 (1883).
Callolophus puniceus, Salvad. Ucec. Born. p. 49 (1874) ;
Sharpe, P. Z. 8. 1875, p. 103; id. Ibis, 1876, p. 36; Hume
& Davison, Str. F. vi. p. 139 (1878); Hume, op. cit. 1879,
p- 88; Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 242; id. P.Z.8. 1881, p. 792;
Guillemard, op. cit. 1885, p. 405; Buiittikofer, Notes Leyd.
Mus. ix. p. 23 (1887).
Chrysophlegma puniceum, Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor.
Nat. Genova, ser. 2, iv. pp. 519, 529 (1887).
Adult male. Above, including scapulars, yellowish olive,
the feathers of the lower back tipped with chrome-yellow ;
rump and upper tail-coverts brighter than the back, espe-
cially the former, which is nearly uniform pale chrome-
yellow ; wing-coverts bright Indian-red, the margins of all,
particularly the lesser series, being brilliant crimson ; bastard-
wing brownish black, the feathers tipped with red, and the
edge of the wing spotted with buffy white; primary-coverts
brownish black, externally margined with bright red ; quills
brownish black, the primaries having the outer webs red at
the base, the remaining portion being washed with greenish,
the inner webs spotted with white at the base, these spots
becoming confluent and forming a white margin to the fea-
178 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
thers; the secondaries having the whole of the outer webs
bright red, the inner webs spotted with white, some of the
innermost feathers being tipped with green, shafts black ;
tail and shafts black ; nasal plumes and stripe in front of the
eye black; forehead, crown, and occipital crest bright crimson,
the tips of the feathers being of this colour, the middle portion
being dusky black and the bases grey ; upon the side of the
“occiput a crimson patch uniting with the red occiput, but
not running down below the ear-coverts ; a bright pale golden
yellow nuchal crest ; sides of the face and neck dull green ;
a broad crimson malar patch, the bases of the feathers dusky
black ; chin and upper throat dull buffy white, washed with
greenish ; from the fore neck to the abdomen, inclusive, dull
green, the flanks and thighs barred and spotted with yellow
or yellowish white, the partly concealed portion of the fea-
thers of the latter barred with dusky black and pure white ;
tibial plumes dingy buff; under tail-coverts dusky green,
a few of the upper feathers spotted with white upon both
webs, and having a barred appearance ; under wing-coverts
dusky, washed with olive on the edge of the wing, the whole
spotted with white or yellowish ; axillaries white, tipped with
yellow and barred with dusky black: ‘iris crimson ; orbital
skin greenish grey ; lower mandible and edges of upper man-
dible at gape dark greenish yellow ; upper mandible black ;
legs and feet pale green, claws greenish horny” (W. Davison).
Total length 10°75 inches, culmen 1°35, wing 5:1, tail 3°5,
tarsus 0°87 ; toes (without claws)—outer anterior 0°7, outer
posterior 0°62, inner anterior 0°55, inner posterior 0°27.
Young male. Differs from the adult male in having the chin
and throat pale drab-brown ; the sides of the face and neck
pale dusky greenish ; under surface of the body dusky brown,
with a very slight green tinge, the breast sparingly crossed
by pale brown and dusky lines; the flanks, thighs, and ab-
domen crossed by similar dusky lines, but also varied with
rounded spots of white; under tail-coverts dusky brown,
barred with white ; the red on the wings duller.
Adult female. May be distinguished from the adult male
by the absence of the red malar patch, the cheeks being of
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 179
the same colour as the rest of the face; chin and throat
greener, some of the feathers between the occiput and the
posterior part of the ear-coverts being tipped with red ; under
surface of the body rather darker, and the light markings on
the flanks and thighs fewer ; the under tail-coverts unspotted ;
the feathers of the entire back edged with yellow : “ iris
crimson ; orbital skin bright plumbeous blue; legs and feet
pale dirty green; lower mandible and base of upper mandible
chrome-yellow ; upper mandible black ”” (W. Davison). Total
length 11 inches, culmen 1°15, wing 5°25, tail 3-65, tarsus 0°9.
Young female. A specimen in the British Museum differs
from a young male in the same collection in having the
underparts uniform, except the flanks, thighs, and under tail-
coverts, which have a few brownish-white spots, the concealed
feathers on the sides of the body being white. It also wants
the red malar stripe, the cheeks being of the same colour as
the rest of the face ; the top of the head and the occiput are
dusky olive, only a few of the feathers being tipped with
crimson.
Examples of this species from Malacca, Sumatra, and
Borneo have the orbital region less dusky and the sides of
the face and neck of a lighter green than specimens from
Java, but they possess no specific distinction.
The present species has a wide range. In Tenasserim it is
confined to the southern district of the province, where Mr.
Davison procured it, and says it is not rare. It is also found
in the Malayan peninsula, whence the Hume collection con-
tains a fine series, obtained by Mr. Davison. Raffles includes
it in his ‘ Birds of Sumatra,’ and the collection recently made
by Dr. C. Klaesi in the highlands of Padang, in the western
part of the island, contains several examples. (Cf. Biitti-
kofer, Notes Leyd. Mus. ix. p. 23 (1887).) This species has
also been obtained at Siboga, as well as in the island of Nias,
West Sumatra, by Signor Elio Modigliani (Salvad. Ann. Mus.
Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova, ser. 2, iv. pp. 519 & 529, 1887).
It is likewise found in Java, in which island the type speci-
men was procured by Horsfield. In Borneo it appears to be
generally distributed. Mr. Pryer has sent to this country
180 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
examples from Sandakan, and the (late) Hon. Hugh Low,
as well as Mr. Treacher, obtained it in Lumbidan. This
species has also been recorded from Sarawak by the Marquis
Doria, Dr. Beccari, and Mr. Everett, and Dr. Platen found
it at Jambusan. In the south of the island it has been
obtained at Banjermassing by Schierbrand. Mr. Davison,
in ‘Stray Feathers’ (vi. p. 139, 1878), gives some very
interesting notes on the habits of the present species; he
writes :—“ This bird has some rather anomalous habits for a
Woodpecker, and it has, besides, a very peculiar note, not in
the least resembling any of the varied notes of other Wood-
peckers. It inhabits the evergreen forests, occasionally
coming into townyahs or clearings. It has a habit of work-
ing its way to the very top of some high dry tree, and re-
maining there for half an hour or more sometimes, uttering,
at short intervals, its peculiar note. In the dusk of the
evening, when other Woodpeckers cease to be heard, it gets
very noisy, and then may be heard calling in many direc-
tions, showing that it is not very uncommon ; it is, however,
more often heard than seen. It almost always, I may remark,
goes about singly, and I have never yet seen it descend to,
or feed upon, the ground, as Gecinus and Chrysophlegma so
constantly do.”
14. GECINUS CHLORIGASTER.
Picus mentalis (non Temm.), Jerd. Madr. Journ. 1840,
p. 214. duce 1E4o)
Picus chlorigaster, Jerd. Madr. Journ. 1844, p. 138.
Chloropicus) xvanthoderus, Malh. Rev. Zool. 1845, p. 402;
id. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 114, pl. Ixxv. figs. 1, 2 (1862).
Gecinus chlorigaster, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1846, p. 16.
Gecinus chlorophanes, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 59,
no. 267 (1849).
Gecinus chlorophaus, Gray, Gen. B. i. App. p. 21 (1849).
Chrysophlegma chlorolophus (non Vieill.), Bp. Consp. Gen.
Av. 1. p. 128 (1850).
Chrysophlegma xanthoderus, Bp. Consp. Volucr. Zygod.
p. 10 (1854) ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 197 (1880) ; Salvin, Cat.
Strickl. Coll. p. 391, no. 1915 (1882).
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 181
Venilia chlorophanes, Reichenb. Handb. Scans. Picine,
p- 359, no. 829, pl. dexxix. figs. 4182, 83, females (1854).
Chrysophlegma chlorophanes, Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 290 (1862) ;
Legge, Ibis, 1874, p. 15; id. op. cit. 1875, p. 283; Hume,
Str. F. 1876, p. 390; Fairbank, op. cit. 1877, p. 396.
Picus xanthoderus, Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 58 (1866) ;
Giebel, Thes. Orn. in. p. 186 (1876).
Gecinus wanthoderus, Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 75
(1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. ii. p. 191, no. 8681 (1870).
Chrysophlegma chlorigaster, Hume, Str. F. vii. p. 517
(1878) ; Butler, Cat. B. S. Bomb. Presid. p. 24 (1880) ; id.
Str. F. 1880, p. 386; Davison, op. cit. 1882, p. 298; id.
op. cit. x. p. 855 (1883).
Adylt male. Above, including scapulars, yellowish olive ;
wing-coverts rich golden olive, the lesser series varied with
reddish, the median and greater coverts having the inner
portion of the outer webs Indian red ; bastard-wing and pri-
mary-coverts dusky brown, the outer webs more or less
golden olive; quills brown, the primaries having the basal
portion of the outer webs Indian red, margined with yellowish
olive, the remaining part with a few buffy-white lines down
the margin ; the outer webs of the secondaries red, slightly
margined and tipped with duller yellowish olive; inner webs
of all spotted with white, the inner quills having a large
amount of bright golden olive upon both webs; shafts brown ;
rump and upper tail-coverts bright yellowish olive, a few of
the latter margined at the tip with dull red; tail brownish
black, the central pair of feathers rather darker, and mar-
gined at the base with dull yellowish olive; dwarf feather
dusky brown, tipped with greenish; shafts black; nasal
plumes black ; forehead, crown, and occipital crest crimson,
the tips of the feathers being of this colour, the remaining
portion deep olive, and the bases grey ; nuchal crest bright
chrome-yellow ; lores dull whitish, with a black line sepa-
rating them from the forehead; sides of the face and neck
dingy olive; cheek-patch crimson ; a narrow white line from
the gape to the back of the ear-coverts, and another (but less
distinct) from above the posterior half of the eye, and run-
182 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
ning above the ear-coverts; chin and throat dingy buffy
white, the feathers tipped with dull greenish; chest and
breast dull olive, the sides of the latter barred with whitish ;
the remainder of the underparts dull olive, barred and spotted
with whitish, more uniform on the middle of the abdomen ;
flanks and thighs broadly barred with yellowish white ; under
tail-coverts dusky olive, tipped and barred with dull white ;
under wing-coverts yellowish white, margined and _ barred
with olive, and varied with dusky brown; axillaries white,
tipped with yellow and barred with dusky brown: “iris
sombre red or brownish red; bill blackish, with the sides of
the lower mandible and margin of the upper, next the gape,
yellow; legs and feet olive-greenish or dusky sap-green”
(W.V. Legge). Total length 9°5 inches, culmen 1-1, wing
4°65, tail 3°25, tarsus 0°85; toes (without claws)—outer an-
terior 0°68, outer posterior 0°63, inner anterior 0°55, inner
posterior 0°28.
Young male (March 17th). Resembles the adult male in
general coloration and markings, but has the face and neck
more dusky, the chin and throat spotted with white, the
underparts are spotted with white, even on the flanks and
thighs, whereas in the adult bird these are barred with white,
and the white on many of the feathers of the underparts has
also a barred character rather than a spotted one. In this
young male the red is appearing on the cheek-feathers. A
young male from “between Goodalore and Nellacotta,
Wynaad, March 28th” (W. Davison), also in the Hume col-
lection, has the soft parts as follows :—‘‘irides wood-brown ;
lower mandible from base to angle of gonys, and gape dull
yellow; rest of bill dull black ; legs and feet dirty dull green ;
claws plumbeous green.”
Adult female. Differs from the adult male in the absence
of crimson on the forehead and crown, these parts being
blackish olive, also in being without the crimson cheek-
patch ; the back of a lighter green, and the upper tail-coverts
without a trace of red. Total length 9 inches, culmen 0°95,
wing 4°65, tail 3°15, tarsus 0°85.
The Hume collection contains two very interesting spe-
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 183
cimens from Cheerud, Shada, Kandeish, March 19th and 20th
(J. Davidson), marked male and female, in which the upper
parts have every appearance of being those of extremely old
birds, the male having the wing-coverts, scapulars, and
upper tail-coverts tipped with red, the scapulars being also
spotted with yellowish white; the face and neck very dusky,
and each cheek with only about one red feather; the under-
parts transversely varied with dusky, having more of a barred
than a spotted appearance, and with the slightest possible
greenish tinge; the forehead and fore part of the crown
green, without a trace of red; but the skin being badly pre-
pared, it is difficult to discover whether the hinder part of the
crown is red, or whether this colour is confined to the occipital
_ feathers. The female is like the male, the scapulars and
even some of the wing-coverts being spotted ; the face, neck,
and underparts greener, the latter having more of a spotted
than a barred appearance. 'The small amount of red on the
cheeks of the male (if a male) would imply youth, while
other characters are in favour of this specimen being adult.
The reason I doubt its being a male is, that in every unmis-
takably young male which has come under my notice, the
whole of the feathers of the forehead, crown, and occiput are
tipped with red. If the specimen was not sexed, the appear-
ance of red upon the cheeks may have misled the collector,
as ared feather might appear on the cheeks even of a female.
In wy own collection are a male and female from the Nil-
ghiris, in which the scapulars have a few white spots, and
these specimens are certainly not very young.
Dr. Jerdon’s title of chlorigaster for the present species
claims priority over wanthoderus of Malherbe. The former
name was bestowed upon it in the Madras Journal for
December 1844, p. 138, although it did not appear until
February 1845; xanthoderus of Malherbe being only a MS.
name until published towards the end of 1845 in the ‘ Revue
Zoologique, p. 402. The present species has not an ex-
tended range, being found only in the southern portion of
India (as high as Kandeish on the west) and in Ceylon.
As. already remarked, specimens were obtaimed by Mr.
184 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
Davidson at Cheerud, Shada, Kandeish. Captain Butler
says itis not uncommon in the forests south-west of Belgaum.
According to Dr. Jerdon, “It is found in the forests of
Malabar, more especially far south. It frequents thick forest
jungle.” Mr. Davison (Str. F. x. p. 355, 1883) states :—
«This species does not ascend the plateau of the Nilghiris,
but occurs on the slopes as far up as 5000 feet. It is also
spread through the Wynaad and Mysore, but is nowhere
very common. It occasionally, like the Gecini, descends to
the ground.” The Rev. 8. B. Fairbank obtained it near
Periur, on the Palani Hills, and it has been observed by Mr.
Bourdillon on the hills of Travancore. In Ceylon (according
to Col. Legge) ‘the Ground Woodpecker is found through-
out most of the low country, except the northern parts,
where, as far as I am able to ascertain from report and my
own observation, it has not yet been detected. As it is,
however, nowhere very abundant, and is of a retiring nature,
it may have been passed over in the north of the Vanni.”
It is remarkable that this species has not been observed in
the northern part of the island, frequented by Chrysocolaptes
stricklandi, a region apparently suited to Woodpeckers, and
nearest to the peninsula of India, a habitat of the species.
It is very probable, as Col. Legge suggests, that this bird
has been overlooked in the north, and will eventually be
found to have a more extended range.
15. GECINUS CHLOROLOPHUS.
Picus chlorolophus, Vieill. N. Dict. Hist. Nat. xxvi. p. 78
(1818); Bonn. & Vieill. Enc. Méth. p. 1809 (1828) ;
Sundev. Consp. Av. Picin. p. 58 (1866) ; Giebel, Thes. Orn.
ii. p. 149 (1876).
Yellow-necked Woodpecker, Lath. Hist. B. 11. p.365 (1822).
Picus chlorolophos, Wagl. Syst. Av. Picus, sp. 69 (1827
Picus chloropus, Drap. Dict. Class. Hist. Nat. xi. p. 500
(1828).
Picus nepalensis, Gray, Hardw. Ill. Ind. Zool. 1. pl. xxxi.
fig. 1 (1830-82) ; McClell. P. Z.S. 1839, p. 165; Blyth, J.
A.S. B. xi. p. 1003 (1848) ; id. op. cit. xiv. p. 191 (1845).
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 185
Dryotomus sericeocollis, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus.
nos. 145, 146 (¢ 2).
Brachylophus sericollis, Wodgs. in Gray’s Zool. Misc.
1844, p. 85.
Gecinus nipalensis, Gray, Gen. B. u. p. 438 (1846).
Gecinus xanthoderus, Gray, Cat. Mamm. &c. Nepal, pres.
Hodgs. p. 116 (1846).
Chloropicos chlorolophus, Malh. N. Classif., Mém. Acad.
Metz, 1848-49, p. 350.
Gecinus chloropus, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 58,
no. 266 (1849); Tytler, Ann. Nat. Hist. xii. p. 3867 (1854) ;
Blyth, JA. S. B. 1863; p. 75.
Chrysophlegma chlorolophus, Bp. Consp. Gen. Av.i. p. 128
(1850) ; id. Consp. Volucr. Zygod. p..10 (1854) ; Horsf. &
Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.I. Co. i. p. 662, no. 966 (1856-58) ;
Jerd. B. Ind. 1. p. 289 (1862); Gray, Cat. Mamm. &c.
Nepal, pres. Hodgs. 2nd ed. p. 63 (1863) ; Godwin-Austen,
J.A.S. B. 1870, p.97; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p.472; Blyth&
Wald. B. Burm. p. 76 (1875) ; Hume & Oates, Str. F. 1875,
p- 71; Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. 1876, p. 70; Inglis, Str.
F. 1877, p. 26; Hume & Davison, op. cit. vi. p. 188 (1878) ;
Ball, op. cit. vil. p. 206 (1878) ; Scully, op. cit. 1879, pp. 249,
365; Bingham, op. cit. 1880, p. 164; Oates, op. cit. 1882,
p- 191; Salvin, Cat. Strickl. Coll p. 391, no. 1914 (1882) ;
Oates,-B. Brit. Burm. 11. p. 45 (1883).
Chrysophlegma chlorolophum, Reichenb. Handb. Scans.
Picine, p. 357, no. 825, pl. dexxvii. figs. 4173, 74, g 9 ad.
(1854).
Chloropicus chlorolophus, Malh. Monogr. Picid. ii. p. 108,
pl. lxxiv. figs. 1, 2, 3 (1862).
Gecinus chlorolophus, Gray, List Picid. Brit. Mus. p. 74
(1868) ; id. Hand-l. B. 1. p. 191, no. 8680 (1870) ; Sharpe,
P.Z.S. 1887, p. 443.
Adult male. Above, including scapulars, rump, upper
tail-coverts, and wing-coverts, uniform vivid green; bastard-
wing blackish brown, margined externally with vivid green,
the edge of the wing more dusky olive varied with white ;
primary-coverts blackish brown, the outer webs yellowish
SER. V.—VOL. VI. )
186 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
olive, redder near the shafts; quills brown, the outer webs
of the outer primaries spotted with whitish, and having the
basal portion dull red margined with olive golden, the inner-
most primaries having almost the whole of the outer webs
red, tipped with golden green; outer webs of the secon-
daries vivid green, the inner portion of the webs more or less
red; inner webs of all spotted with white, the tips of the
innermost being bright green; shafts brown; tail brownish
black, the two central feathers having both webs margined
at the base with dull olive, the next feathers having only the
outer webs so margined; dwarf feather blackish brown,
tipped with greenish; shafts black; nasal plumes black ;
forehead, edge of the crown, and occipital crest crimson, the
tips of the feathers being of this colour; crown and middle
portion of the occipital feathers olive, margined with a
yellower shade, the bases leaden grey ; lores yellowish white ;
between the eye and nostril a black line; side of the face
olive, streaked with a lighter shade; from behind the eye a
narrow white line passing behind the ear-coverts, and joining
another from the lores, running under the ear-coverts ; cheek-
patch crimson, with pinkish cross markings on a dusky
ground; nuchal crest bright golden yellow; chin and throat
dull buffy white, barred with dingy olive; side of the neck,
chest, and breast uniform dull olive ; remainder of the under-
parts, including the flanks and thighs, dull yellowish white,
barred with dingy olive, the barring less distinct on the
abdomen; under tail-coverts dull white, barred with dingy
olive, and tipped with a yellower shade; under wing-coverts
yellowish white barred with olive; axillaries white with
yellow tips, and barred with olive: “bill greenish yellow
horny; culmen and tip dark plumbeous; irides carmine
red” (J. Scully). Total length 10 inches, culmen 1:27, wing
5°25, tail 3°75, tarsus 0°9; toes (without claws)—outer an-
terior 0°73, outer posterior 0°65, inner anterior 0°53, inuer
posterior 0°35.
Young male. Resembles the adult male, but is altogether
less brilliant in colour; the crown of a duller olive; the
crimson on the forehead, occiput and cheeks less spread over
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 187
these parts; throat, chest and breast, more of a dusky
brown with an olive tinge; the underparts whiter, and the
dark barring more dusky, the whitish markings on the outer
webs of the outermost primaries being larger; under wing-
coverts without a trace of yellow. Dr. Scully gives the soft
parts of the immature male, in August and September, as
follows :—“ Bill greenish horny, dusky above and at the tip;
orbital skin slaty plumbeous ; irides crimson ; feet and claws
plumbeous greenish.”
Adult female. Differs from the adult male in the absence
of the crimson on the forehead and edge of the crown, and
in this colour not spreading over the entire occipital crest,
the forehead, crown, and central feathers of the occiput
being bright yellowish olive, only a few of the latter having
crimson tips; the crimson malar stripe also wanting, the
cheeks being olive varied with yellowish white; the yellow
nuchal crest scarcely so brillant: “bill yellowish green
horny ; culmen and tip dark plumbeous ; irides carmine red ;
orbital skin bluish plumbeous; tarsi dingy green; toes
greenish leaden; claws grey horny” (J. Scully). Total
length 10°5 inches, culmen 1°15, wing 5:05, tail 3°55, tarsus
09.
The white spotting on the outer webs of the primaries is
very inconstant, and cannot be regarded as a character. In
adult examples from various localities these markings exist,
while in equally adult birds from the same localities they are
wanting. In a fully adult male and in a young male now
before me the spots are almost equally developed. Burmese
specimens have the outer webs of the primaries generally
unspotted, but I have in my collection an example, obtained
by Major Houghton, in which they are spotted along their
whole length. I have recently examined a male specimen
of the present species from the mountains near Perak
(L. Wray), the most southerly locality whence it has been
procured. It is a very dark bird, and has the whole of the
underparts of a blackish olive, and all below the chest is
covered by bar-like spots of pure white. The colour is much
darker than in typical specimens, and, but for the distribu-
02
188 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
tion of red on the head, resembles rather G. chlorigaster. 1
have in my collection an example from Assam, very similar
to the Perak bird.
This species is common in Nepal and the South-east Hima-
layas, ranging into Bengal and Orissa, and to the east ex-
tending into Cachar and Assam. ‘To the south it is found
throughout the Burmese Empire; in Tenasserim, and also
m the Malayan peninsula as far as Perak. Dr. Scully (Str.
F. 1879, p. 249), in writing on this species, observes, “ It is
tolerably common in the Nepal Valley, where it breeds. It
is usually found in tree forests, about the lower parts of the
surrounding hills, but occasionally visits the wooded knolls
in the central part of the valley. It is not uncommon in the
lower hills, Dun and Sal forest in winter.” Jerdon states
that it is rare in Lower Bengal, and found as far as Cuttack,
and that it may probably occur in the Midnapore jungles.
Mr. Ball (Str. F. vu. p. 206, 1878), in his “ List of Birds
found in the region which extends from the Rajmehal Hills
to the Godaveri Valley,” gives as localities Orissa, south of
Mahanadi and Lohardugga. I have in my collection spe-
cimens from north-eastern Cachar, procured by Mr. J. Inglis,
who says it is rather rare. In the Hume collection there
are examples from Assam, and I also possess specimens from
the latter country. Mr. Hume obtained this species in the
eastern Manipur Hills, and in his collection there is also an
example from Tipperah. Blyth (J. A. 8. B. 1863, p. 75)
gives as a habitat, “Shan Hills, Hast of Ava;”’ and in Blyth
and Walden’s ‘ Birds of Burmah,’ the species is said to be
found in the Khasias and in Arakan. Mr. Oates states :—
“Tn Upper Pegu it occurs from Thayetmyo to Tonghoo, but
it is not very common anywhere.” I have received from
Capt. Bingham a female specimen obtained by him on the
hills just north of Pegu Town. Major Wardlaw Ramsay
records it from the Karen-nee Hills, at 3000 feet elevation.
Messrs. Hume and Davison (Str. F. vi. p. 188, 1878) state :
— ‘In Tenasserim this species is confined to the northern
and central portions of the province, occurring alike in the
lower and highest hills, and even in the plains, though rare
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 189
there, and not very common anywhere.” Mr. Davison says
“it occurs alike in moderately thin and dense forests, and is
found right up to the top of Mooleyit.”. Mr. Hume’s col-
lection contains specimens from the following localities —
“Pine forests, Salween; Kollidoo; Pahpoon; Wimpong ;
Myawadee; Kaukaryit ; Houngthraw River; Mooleyit; and
the Thounghyeen River.’ Captain Bingham observes that
in the Thounghyeen Valley this species is even more abun-
dant than C. flavinucha. It is beyond doubt that the present
species is also found in the Malayan peninsula, as Mr. L.
Wray has recently obtained a male specimen on the moun-
tains near Perak, and he tells us that it is the only Wood-
pecker seen by him in the higher part of the hills (cf. Sharpe,
P. Z.S. 1887, p. 443). This is the only Malayan example
of G. chlorolophus that I have ever met with.
16. GECINUS ERYTHROPYGIUS.
Gecinus erythropygius, Eliot, N. Arch. du Mus. Bull. i.
p. 76, pl. 11. (1865) ; Wardl. Ramsay, P. Z. 8. 1874, p. 212,
pl. xxxv. (g 2); Wald. Ibis, 1875, pp. 148 and 463 ; Tiraut,
Ois. Basse-Cochinchine, p. 89 (1879); Oates, Str. F. x.
p- 191 (1882) ; id. B. Brit. Burm. i. p. 52 (1883).
Gecinus nigrigenis, Hume, Proc. A. 8. B. 1874, p. 106;
id. Str. F. 1874, pp. 444 and 471; id. & Davison, op. cit. vi.
p. 136 (1878) ; Bingham, op. cit. 1880, p. 163.
Picus nigrogenis, Giebel, Thes. Orn. i. p. 170 (1876).
Adult male. Above, including wing-coverts, uniform vivid
green; bastard-wing and primary-coverts black ; quills black,
the primaries barred with white on the outer webs, the inner
having deep notches or broad bars of the same, but not ex-
tending to the shaft; outer webs of the secondaries margined
with, or entirely green, this colour spreading on to the tips
of some of the inner webs, which have large spots of white;
shafts black; rump bright scarlet; upper tail-coverts dull
green; tail and shafts uniform black, except a few minute
buffy-white spots on the outer web of the penultimate feather ;
dwarf feather dusky black, the apical portion greenish ;
crown bright scarlet ; nasal plumes and the rest of the head
190 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
and occiput velvety black ; a narrow white stripe from behind
the eye, becoming tinged with yellow as it approaches the
side of the neck; chin, throat, and upper part of the side of
the neck bright gamboge-yellow, the rest of the neck be-
coming greenish, this colour spreading over the breast ;
underparts greyish, with small dusky V-shaped markings
formed by an intermarginal line; the dark markings on the
thighs more defined and barred; under tail-coverts deep
dusky, lighter on the margins, and having large and well-
defined V-shaped white markings; under wing-coverts white
tinged with yellow near the edge of the wing, with irregular
bars and V-shaped black markings; axillaries white, with a
faint dusky bar near the tip: “legs and feet dirty brownish
or plumbeous green; bill dark horny brown or blackish,
yellowish at base of lower mandible; irides pale to bright
gamboge-yellow ” (Hume & Davison). Total length 13 inches,
culmen 1:4, wing 6°15, tail 4°5, tarsus 1:15; toes (without
claws)—outer anterior 0°8, outer posterior 0°75, inner an-
terior 0°65, inner posterior 0°45.
‘ouny male. Less brilliant in colour than the adult male,
but in other respects resembling it.
Adult female. Differs from the adult male in the absence
of the scarlet crown, this being deep velvety black, like the
rest of the head: “legs and feet dirty brownish green; bill
horny brown, upper mandible from nostrils to base, and
lower mandible from angle of gonys to base, with gape,
greenish yellow; irides from pale to gamboge-yellow ”
(Hume). Total length 12°75 inches, culmen 1:4, wing 6°35,
tail 4°7, tarsus 1°15.
This beautiful species was first described under the name
of Gecinus erythropygius by Mr. D. G. Elliot (Nouv. Arch.
du Mus., Bull. i. p. 76, pl. i1., 1865); the specimen was a
female, and had been procured in Cochin China by M.
Germain. Major Wardlaw Ramsay, during his stay in British
Burman, procured both sexes of this species a few miles to
the north of Tonghoo, and, believing the bird to be new,
bestowed upon it, strange to say, the same title as Mr. Elliot
had given to his Cochin-China bird, viz. Gecinus erythro-
Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus. 191
pygius. Major Wardlaw Ramsay’s description, together with
figures of both species, will be found in the ‘ Proceedings of
the Zoological Society,’ 1874, p. 212, pl. xxxv. About the
same time Mr. Hume described, under the name of Gecinus
nigrigenis, a Woodpecker which had been obtained about
100 miles south of the locality whence Major Wardlaw
Ramsay’s specimens came, considering it to be distinct from
G. erythropygius of Elliot. It is remarkable that the de-
scriptions by Major Wardlaw Ramsay and Mr. Hume should
have been published within a few days of each other, the
former having the priority, but the name being preoccupied
by Mr. Elliot. Believing that the Burmese and the Cochin-
China birds are distinct, Mr. Hume is therefore of opinion
that his name ought to stand for the Burmese bird; and in
‘ Stray Feathers,’ 1874, p. 471, he gives the dimensions of the
Cochin-China specimen, and also states the differences in color-
ation between it and his own species, adding that “ only one in
ten of his specimens has the stripe behind the eye, and that
this stripe is white, whereas in Elliot’s bird it is yellow.”
According to Mr. Hume’s own showing, this difference can-
not be regarded as of any value, because on a previous page,
446, in describing a specimen of a female of his G. nigrigenis,
he states that “a pale yellow stripe runs backward over the
ear-coverts.”” I have not seen Mr. Elliot’s type specimen,
but from his description I fail to see in what respect the
Burmese bird differs from his species. In point of size
the former has the advantage, but this is of little weight, as
many species of Burmese Woodpeckers exceed in measure-
ment similar species from other localities, without suggesting
any specific difference. I am of opinion that there is only
one red-rumped species, that the birds may or may not
have the eye-stripe, and that this stripe may range from
white to yellow. It is the only species of Woodpecker,
known to me, in which a character is sometimes present and
at other times absent in adult birds of either sex,
The habitat of this species may be said to be the northern
and eastern part of Pegu, northern Tenasserim, Siam, and
Cochin China, but how far it ranges through the latter
192 Mr. E. Hargitt on the Genus Gecinus.
countries is not known. Major Wardlaw Ramsay found
it at the foot of the Karen Hills to 6000 feet elevation, and
at Tonghoo. Mr. Eugene Oates also procured it at Tonghoo.
In Tenasserim, according to Messrs. Hume and Davison
(Str. F. vi. p. 186, 1878), this species is ‘confined to the
drier and more thinly wooded hills of the outer Tenasserim
range in its northern and central portions, and there not
rare,” to which Mr. Davison adds the following note :—“I
only obtained this species on the hills to the north of Pahpoon,
and again all about Myawadee and the country between this
and Mooleyit. It is not a bird of the dense forests, and
does not ascend Mooleyit. It does not, that I am aware,
extend to the low flat country anywhere, nor do I know of
its occurrmg anywhere south of Paraduba. I did not find
it anywhere about Meetan.”
Capt. Bingham informs us that “in all the Thoungyeen
valley it is fairly common but local. In the laterite belt,
covered with Eng (Dipterocarpus) forest, that runs parallel
to the Thoungyeen river, north of Meeawuddy, I found it
plentiful ; its peculiar cry, and the rich contrast of the jet-
black cheeks with the yellow of the chin and throat, once
heard and seen, are not easily forgotten.” I have in my
collection a specimen obtained by Capt. Bingham in the
Thoungyeen Valley, on the Siamese side of the river, so
that it may reasonably be assumed that the species will
range further into the latter country.
Dr. Tiraut (Ois. Basse-Cochinchine, p. 89 (1879), states
that he obtained this species in Lower Cochin China, and it
may be interesting to give his notes on it :—‘“‘I have killed
at Srok-tranh two males of this splendid Green Woodpecker,
which is distinguished from all the Gecinit by its vermilion-
red rump; also a female at Sudc nudc. On both these
oceasions I found this bird inhabiting the jungles of large
thorny bamboos, and my personal observation is in harmony
with that of Davison, in Tenasserim, regarding the G. nigrigenis
of Hume, which appears to be the same bird. The type
specimen of Elliot’s description came from Cochin China,
whence it had been sent by the Commandant Bousigon, and
On Birds from the Island of Palawan. 193
not from Siam, as erroneously stated by Hume.’”” Mr. Hume
(Str. F. 1874, p. 471) distinctly states that Mr. Elliot’s bird
was discovered by M. Germain in Cochin China, and I
am not aware that Mr. Hume ever made mention of the
type of G. erythropyyius of Elliot having come from Siam.
XIV.—On a Collection of Birds from the Island of Paldwan.
By R. Bowpier Suarpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &e.
(Plates iT IN)
My friend Mr. John Whitehead has sent a fine collection of
birds as the result of his expedition to Palawan. He was
unsuccessful in getting far into the interior of the island, and
was therefore obliged to collect in the neighbourhood of
Puerto Princesa, which had been the scene of the labours of
Professor Steere and of Mr. Everett. It is sufficient to state
that Mr. Whitehead has obtained examples of every species
but one met with in Palawan by the before-mentioned
naturalists, and Mr. Lempriere also; while he has added to
the list 60 species previously unrecorded from Palawan, thus
nearly doubling the known avifauna of the island. Out of
129 species now enumerated from the island, no less than
35 are peculiar to Palawan, and of the rest 14 are found
in the Philippines, but not in Borneo; while 33 are known
from Borneo, but have not been recorded frem the Philippines.
The presence in Mr. Whitehead’s collection of a Cryptolopha,
almost, if not quite identical with C. montis of Kina Balu,
indicates that there may be an unexpected affinity between
the mountain fauna of Palawan and North Borneo, and
it will be rash to generalize upon our present information
as to the zoo-geographical relations of the island.
The following I believe to be a complete list of the birds
now known to inhabit Palawan. Those peculiar to the island
are marked with a dagger (t), and the letter “[B.]” or
“«TP.]” indicates the Bornean or Philippine habitat of the
species, so as to give some idea of the relations of the avifauna
194 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds
to that of the neighbouring groups. I have also added an
indication of the collector by the aid of initials—“ [S.]” stand-
ing for Mr. J. B. Steere, “[E.]” for Mr. Alfred Everett,
“(L.]” for Mr. Everard Lempriere, and “[W.]” for Mr.
John Whitehead.
1. [P.] Cacatua H&=Marturopryera. [L., W.]
2. [P.] Tanyenatuus Luzonensis. [E., L., W.]
3. + PRIONITURUS CYANEICEPS, Sp. 0.
Similis P. discuro, sed pileo toto et cervice cum capitis
lateribus viridi-cyaneis; gutture toto, pectore et abdomine
viridi-cyaneo lavatis.
Adult male. General colour above grass-green, becoming
clearer green on the lower back and rump, and decidedly
brighter on the upper tail-coverts; curious dusky frecklings
are seen on the feathers in a strong light ; wing-coverts green,
the median and greater coverts a little brighter; bastard-
wing and primary-coverts green, with a bluish tinge inter-
nally; quills black, externally green, subterminally with a
blue shade, and fringed with yellow, the first primary exter-
nally blue ; two centre tail-feathers bright green, with a black
shaft and racket at the end, which is black edged with green ;
remainder green, internally blue, and with a broad band of
black at the ends; tail blue underneath ; entire head and
nape, as well as the sides of the face, ear-coverts, cheeks,
throat and sides of neck verditer-blue, overspreading the
under surface of the body, which is otherwise light green,
but yellow towards the vent and under tail-coverts, the latter
being yellow washed with green; under wing-coverts and
axillaries bright green ; lower primary-coverts and inner web
of quills pale blue, blackish externally and at the tips of the
primaries. Total length 12°4 inches, culmen 0°8, wing 6:1,
tail 2°8, long feathers 5°6, tarsus 0°5.
Young birds differ from the adult in being entirely green,
without any of the beautiful verditer-blue shade on the head
and neck; the wing-coverts and secondaries edged with
yellowish green; under surface of body pale green, yellower
on the throat, and bright yellow on the under tail-coverts,
washed with pale green.
from the Island of Palawan. 195
Mr. Whitehead procured a large series of this new Par-
rakeet.
4. [B., P.] Asrur rrivireatus. [W.]
5. [B.] Spizantus trmnartus. [W.]
6. [B., P.] Burasrur inpicus. [E., W.]
7. [B., P.] Haztaetus tevcocaster. [W.]
8. SPILORNIS, sp.
A wing only sent. It is too large for S. pallidus, and yet
does not belong to S. holospilus; it may belong to a bird
distinct from both,
9. [B., P.] Pernis printonoruyncuvus. [W.]
10. [B., P.] Fatco perzcrinus. [W.]
Mr. Whitehead states in a letter to me that he noticed a
Peregrine on the island. He also saw a Harrier, which he
believes to have been Circus spilonotus.
[B., P.] Panpion HatiaEtus. [W.]
Seen, but not obtained.
11. + Baza Levcoptas, sp. n.
Juv. Similis B. sumatrensi, jr., sed subtus alba; linea me-
diana gutturali nulla, abdomine minime transfasciato
distinguenda.
Young female. General colour above brown, with whitish-
brown margins to the feathers; lesser wing-coverts brown,
the inner ones rufous, with brown centres; median and
greater coverts pale rufous, white externally towards the
ends and round the tips; bastard-wing dark brown, exter-
nally rufous; primary-coverts uniform dark brown; quills
dark brown, fringed with white round the ends, and crossed
with blackish-brown bars, four in number, one subterminal ;
secondaries paler brown, externally rufous ; upper tail-coverts
tawny rufous, edged with white and with dark brown centres ;
tail-feathers dark brown, narrowly fringed with white at the
ends, and crossed with blackish bands, the subterminal one
very broad, but not nearly so wide as the preceding inter-
space; a crest of white feathers, the long ones freckled with
196 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds
brown; head, nape and hind neck, lores, sides of face, ear-
coverts, cheeks, sides of neck, and entire under surface of
body pure white, slightly washed with rufous on the head
and hind neck; the breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts
washed with creamy buff; the sides of body and flanks with
sight indications of spots of pale tawny buff; under wing-
coverts and axillaries like the breast ; quills below ashy grey,
with blackish bars on the primaries. Total length 15:5 inches,
culinen 1:15, wing 10°8, tail 7:0, tarsus 1:4.
The typical specimen, though manifestly immature, differs
thoroughly from the young of B. sumatrensis, and I feel
sure that the adult bird, when discovered, will be markedly
distinct.
12. + SyRNIUM WHITEHEADI, sp.n. (Plate IIT.)
S. similis S. sinensi, sed subtus minime albo trasfasciatum.
Adult male. General colour above chocolate-brown, spotted
with white, the spots arranged in pairs, the one on the inner
web often fulvescent ; scapulars forming alight patch of tawny
buff, covered with narrow bars of chocolate-brown; lesser
wing-coverts dark chocolate-brown, with scarcely any white
spots; median and greater coverts more reddish chocolate-
brown, transversely barred with white, shghtly tinged with
tawny buff; bastard-wing and primary-coverts uniform
blackish brown ; quills brown, crossed with lighter and more
rufous-brown bars, whiter near the edge, especially of the
secondaries, which are slightly freckled externally ; the inner-
most secondaries spotted with white, like the back; upper
tail-coverts like the back, but barred with tawny buff or
whitish ; tail-feathers dark chocolate-brown, barred with
tawny buff or creamy white, with which the tail is conspi-
cuously tipped, the lhght bars, seven in number, on the
centre feathers, broader and coalescing on the remainder;
crown of head like the back, thickly spotted with white, the
spots arranged in pairs; feathers of the hind neck with con-
cealed bases of tawny buff; the mantle somewhat more uni-
form brown ; sides of face chestnut, deeper about the eyes and
on the ear-coverts, which are whiter posteriorly ; ruff dark
from the Island of Palawan. 17,
chocolate-brown, barred across with rufous; chin rufous,
followed by a broad white patch, narrowly barred with black ;
remainder of under surface of body tawny rufous, narrowly
barred across with blackish brown, including the thighs and
under tail-coverts ; fore neck with broad bands of white and
chocolate-brown ; under wing-coverts and axillaries like the
breast ; quills below dusky brown, barred with yellowish buff,
these bars broader towards the base of the inner web. Total
length 17°5 inches, culmen 1°35, wing 13, tail 7°5, tarsus 2°3.
Of this fine Owl Mr. Whitehead obtained several speci-
mens. Its nearest ally is Syrnium sinense, but it is easily
distinguished from that species by its rufescent under surface,
with the absence of white bars.
13. + Scops FULIGINOSA, Sp. 0.
S. similis S. wmbratili, sed multo minor et omnino saturate
brunnea, modo Scopino vermiculata et notata, sed re-
gione auriculari rufo-brunnea concolore, et fasciis fron-
talibus et cervicalibus pallidis obsoletis.
The above diagnosis well expresses the relations of this
dark-coloured Scops Owl, whichis more dingy in colour than
any species I know.
14. + Turiponax wArGirti. ([S., L., W.]
15. + CHRYSOCOLAPTES ERYTHROcEPHALUS. [S., E., L.,
16. + Tiga everett. ([S., E., L., W.]
17. [B.] Mve.ieripicus PULVERULENTUs. [W.]
18. [B., P.] Eurystomus orrentTauis. [EH., W.]
19. [B.] Aucepo BENGALENsis. [L., W.]
20. [B.]. Aucepo asiatica. [W.]
21. [B.] Pexarcorsis pEucocerHaLa. [S., L., W.]
22. [B.] Cryx ruriporsa. [L., W.]
23. [B.] Haucyon pitzeata. [W.]
24. [B., P.]| Hatcyon coromanpa. [W.]
25. [B., P.] Hatcyon cutoris. [W.]
198 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds
26. + ANTHRACOCEROS LEMPRIERI. [L., W.]
27. [B.] Cuatura cicantgea. [W.]
28. [P.] Contocaia trocLopytes. [W.]
29. [B., P.}] Cotnocatia FucipHaca. [W.]
30. [B.] Barracnostomus cornutus. [W.]
31. [B.] Carrimuteus macrurus. [W.]
82. [B.] CucuLus sonneratir. [W.]
33. [B., P.] Cacomantis MERuLINUs. [E.]
34. [B.] Curysococcyx xanTHoRHYNCHUs. [W.]
35. [B.] SurnicuLus tucusris. [H., W.]
36. [B.] Eupynamis matayana. [W.]
37. + Dryococcyx HaRrRineToni. [S., E., L., W.]
38. [B.] Crenrrococcyx EuRycERcus. [E., W.]
39. [B.] Cunrrococcyx arrinis. [W.]
40. [B., P.] Lanrus tuzionensis. [E., W.]
41. [B.] Gravcatus sumatrensis. [S., E., L., W.]
42. [B.] Prricrocotus 1eneus. [S., L., W.]
43. [B., P.] Pericrocotus cinereus. [L., W.]
44. + HyLoreRPE WHITEHEADI, sp. 0.
Hi. affinis H. grisole, sed supra olivascenti-brunnea, pileo
dorsoque concoloribus ; tectricibus alarum cinerascenti-
brunneis nec rufescenti-brunneis distinguenda.
Adult female. General colour above dingy mouse-brown,
the head like the back ; wing-coverts rather more ashy than
the back ; bastard-wing and primary-coverts brown; quills
dark brown, edged with ashy brown, the secondaries margined
with rufous towards the ends; upper tail-coverts and tail-
feathers ashy brown ; lores and feathers round the eye ashy
grey ; ear-coverts brown, like the head; cheeks ashy grey, as
also the throat and breast, the latter slightly washed with
brown ; lower breast and abdomen white ; sides of body and
flanks somewhat washed with ashy ; thighs white, with ashy
Jrom the Island of Paldwan. 199
bases; under tail-coverts white; under wing-coverts and
axillaries white, with ashy bases; quills below dusky, ashy
along the inner edge. Total length 5-7 inches, culmen 0°65,
wing 3°15, tail 2°3, tarsus 0°75.
45. + Cuipia paLawaneEnsis. [E., L., W.]
46. [B.] Bucuanea tevcopHa#a. [S., E., L., W.]
47, [P.] Ruiprpura nieritorauis. [S., W.]
48. + SIPHIA LEMPRIERI. [E., L., W.]
49. + SIPHIA ERITHACUS, sp. n. (Plate. IV. fig. 2.)
Adult male. General colour above rufous brown, with a
slight olivaceous tinge; lesser wing-coverts like the back ;
median coverts, greater coverts, bastard-wing, primary-coverts,
and quills blackish brown, more or less broadly edged with
the same colour as the back, a little more rufous on the
latter ; upper tail-coverts and tail-feathers bright chestnut ;
crown of head like the back, slightly washed with olive ;
lores ashy grey ; feathers round the eye dusky ; ear-coverts
olive-brown, washed with tawny; cheeks, throat, and chest
orange-rufous ; breast and abdomen pure white, as well as the
sides of body and flanks; thighs dusky brown; under tail-
coverts pale tawny rufous; under wing-coverts and axillaries
white ; quills below dusky, whitish along their inner edge.
Total length 4:2 inches, culmen 0°55, wing 2°35, tail 1:7,
tarsus 0°8.
Adult female. Similar to the male, but with the lores more
tawny. ‘Total length 4°2 inches, culmen 0°5, wing 2:25,
tail 1:5, tarsus 0:7.
50. [P.] XANTHOLESTES PANAYENSIS. [W.]
Although I have not had a specimen of X. panayensis
from Panay to compare, the type being in Prof. Steere’s
collection in America, I believe that the single specimen in
Mr. Whitehead’s consignment must belong to the Panay
species, though of course direct comparison is desirable.
51. [P.] Cryprotorna montis. [W.]
Only a single specimen, which appears to be identical with
the type of C. montis from Kina Balu.
200 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds
52. [B.] Muscicapa MaNnILLENsts. [W.]
The late Lord Tweeddale and Dr. Oustalet believed that
M. manillensis (Bp.) is different from M. griseisticta of
Swinhoe. I must say that the Philippine specimens that I
have examined fail to confirm this supposition.
53. [B., P.] Hyporaymis azurna. [E., W.]
54. + Zeocrruus cyanescens. [S., L., W.]
55. [B., P.| Hrirunpo rustica. [W.]
56. [B., P.] Hirunpo gavanica. [E., L., W.]
57. + Orniotus pALAWANENSIS. [E., L., W.]
58. [B.] Oriotus xantuonotus. [E., W.]
59. [P.] Pirta sorpipa. [S., L., W.]
60. [P.] Prrra pxytHRogastRA. [W.]
61. + Turprinus RuFiFrons. [E., W.]
62. + Mrxornts woopr. [S., E., W.]
63. + ANURopsIS CINEREICEPS. [H., L., W.]
64, + Prinocicuta Fatcata. ([S., W.]
65. + Irena tweEppati. ([S., L., W.]
66. + Pycnonorus ciNEREIFRONS. [E., W.]
67. + PHYLLORNIS PALAWANENSIS. [S., E., W.]
68. [B.] AterrHina viripis. [S., E., W.]
69. [B.] Micropus mMreLanocePHatus. [E., W.]
70. + JoLE sTRIATICEPS, Sp. n.
I. similis J. viridescenti, sed magis brunnea, cauda pallide
rufescente, pileo brunnescente, anguste grisco lineato, et
dorso vix striolato, facie laterali grisescenti-olivacea,
angustissime albido striolata distinguenda.
Adult femalé. General colour above olive-brown, with
narrow whitish shaft-streaks to the feathers of the mantle and
back ; the lower back and rump uniform, the feathers of the
latter very loose and fluffy and with pale tips ; lesser wing-
coverts brown, with a wash of olive ; bastard-wing and
from the Island of Palawan. 201
primary-coverts dusky brown, with a reddish tinge and
washed with olive externally ; quills dark brown, externally
pale olive-brown, rather more rufous towards the base of the
secondaries ; upper tail-coverts and tail-feathers light reddish
brown, with a slight edging of olive; crown of head brown,
slightly contrasting with the back, all the feathers with nar-
row ashy white shaft-streaks ; lores white, with a yellowish
tinge ; feathers below the eye and ear-coverts light brown,
washed with yellow and having narrow whitish shaft-streaks ;
cheeks and under surface of body ashy white, with a strong
tinge of yellow, the breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts
clearer yellow ; sides of body and flanks washed with olive-
brown ; thighs pale yellow; under wing-coverts and axillaries
pale yellow; quills below dusky brown, yellowish along the
edge of the inner web. ‘Total length 6°6 inches, culmen 0:7,
wing 3:2, tail 2°75, tarsus 0°75.
71. + Crinicer FRATER, ([S., E., W.]
' 72. + CRINIGER PALAWANENSIS. .[E., W.]
73. [B., P.] Monricona soritaria. [E., W.]
74. + Cirrocincia niera. ([S., E., W.]
75. [B., P.] Payzioscorus Borgauis. [W.]
70; |.B:, P.\ CisricoLa cisticona. |W. |
77. [B.] OrrHoromus rvuriceps. [S., E., W.]
78. [B., P.] Moracitza Frava. [W.]
79. [B., P.] Anraus eustavi. [W.]
80. [B., P.] Antaus Macuatus. ([E.]
81. [P.] Parus evzeans. [S., W.]
82. [B.] Denpropuiza Fronratis. [S., W.]
83. [P.] Myzanrne ryemma. ([E., W.]
84. + PRIONOCHILUS JOHANNA, sp.n. (Plate IV., fig. 1.)
P. similis P. xanthopygio, sed mento et fascia supragenali
albis distinguendus.
Adult male. General colour above dark slaty blue, with a
SER. V.—VOL. VI. P
202 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds
~ broad band of yellow across the ramp; wing-coverts like the
back ; bastard-wing, primary-coverts, and quills blackish,
edged with slate-blue; upper tail-coverts slate-blue; tail-
feathers black, with slate-blue margins; crown of head dark
slaty blue, with a large patch of scarlet in the centre of the
hinder crown ; sides of face, ear-coverts, sides of neck, and
des of upper breast slate-blue, with a distinct white cheek-
stripe, followed by a line of slate-blue along the sides of the
throat, and joined to the hinder cheeks and ear-coverts ; chin
whitish ; remainder of under surface bright yellow, the chest
with a scarlet patch in the centre ; abdomen and sides of vent
and under tail-coverts yellowish white; sides of body and
flanks yellow, with a greenish tinge; thighs slate-grey ; under
wing-coverts and axillaries white ; quills below black, white
along the inner edge. Total length 3-4 inches, culmen 0°45,
wing 2, tail 1°05, tarsus 0°55.
85. [P.] Cinnyris sperata. [E. W.]
86. + Cinnyris aurora. [E., L., W.]
87. [B.] Cuatcosterna rnsienis. [E., W. |
88. + Airnoryea sHeLLEYI. [S., E., W.]
89. [B.] Anrurepres MaLaccensis. [S., E., W.]
90. + ARACHNOTHERA DiILuTIOR. [S., E., W.]
91. + Coroner pusitta. [E., L., W.]
92, [P.] Catornis panayensis. [S., E., L., W.]
93. [B.] Eurases savanensis. [S., H., L., W.]
94. + Oxycerca EVERETTI. [S., E., W.]
95. [B.] Munra arricaPitta. [W.]
96. [B., P.] OsmorreRon vernans. [E., W.]
97. [B.] Treron nasica. [S., H., W.]
98. [B., P.] Carrpornaca #nzga. [S., E., L., W.*]
99. [B., P.] Prizopus meLanocrrHatus. ([L., W.]
* Mr. Whitehead also saw a white Pigeon, doubtless Carpophaga
bicolor.
from the Island of Palawan. 203
100. [B., P.] CuatcopHars inpica. ([S., W.]
101. [B.] Turtur ticrina. [W.]
102. [P.] Macropyera Tenurrostris. [W.]
103. + PotypLecrrum NapoLgonis. [E., W.]
104. [B.] Mercapropius cuminer. [E., L., W.]
105. [P.] Turnix nigrescens. [W.]
Mr. Ogilvie Grant, who has paid some attention to the
small Game Birds, says that the Palawan birds are identical
with the typical examples of 7. nigrescens of Tweeddale, but
he is inclined to doubt whether they ought not all to be
united to T. fasciata.
106. [B., P.] Aderatitis ceorrroyi. [E., L., W.]
107. [B., P.] Aicraxitis cantianus. [E., W.]
108. [B., P.] Aieraitis Peroni. [L.]
109. [B., P.] Aierairis pusia. [W.]
110. [B., P.] Srrersizas 1nterPres. [W.]
11]. [B.] Esacus maenirostris. [W.]
112. [B., P.] Guarzoxa ornrentauis. [W.]
113. Numenius tineatus. [W.]*
114. [B., P.] Trincorpzs nypotEucus. [E., W.]
115. [B., P.] Toranus cauipris. [W.]
116. [B., P.] Toranus Brevires. [W.]
117. [B., P.] Toranus erarzota. [W.]|
118. [B., P.] Terexra crnerza. [W.]
119. [B., P.] Trinea rvricotus. [W.]
120. [B., P.] Gatiinaco ausrraLis. [W.]
121. [B., P.] Gatuinaco Fascrata. [W.]
122. [B., P.] Heropras inrerRMepia. [W.]
123. [B.] Arnpea sumatrana. [W.]
* Whimbrels were also seen by Mr. Whitehead.
P2
204 Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life.
124. [B., P.] Buroripes savanica. [E., W.]
125. [B., P.] Gorsacuius MeLanoLoruvs. [W.]
126. [B., P.] Sterna Bere. [W.]
127. Sverna sinensis. [W. |
128. [B., P.| HyprocHEipon nysripa. [W.]|
129. Freeata minor. [W.]
XV.—The Polar Origin of Life considered in its bearing on
the Distribution and Migration of Birds.—Part Il. By
H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.R.S.
[Continued from ‘The Ibis,’ 1887, p. 242.]
In suggesting the theory that the Polar origin of life affords
a key to the various problems connected with the distribution
and migration of birds, I do not think it necessary to go
further than I have already done into the question of past
changes in the eccentricity of the earth’s orbit, since no such
change is required to account for the existing conditions of
life; and in this, as in every other unsolved problem, the
simplest explanation gencrally proves the best. Nor does it
seem to me that we need speculate on the question of various
recurring glacial epochs in order to explain the phenomena
we encounter. Ido not deny the existence of such alter-
nating periods of heat and cold; I merely mean that their
introduction as postulates is not required for our present
purpose.
I may refer to the summary in my first paper (Ibis, 1887,
p. 236), for which I am indebted to Mr. Scribner and Col.
Feilden, of the propositions as to the origin of life at the
Poles—the first portions of our cooling globe capable of
maintaining life. It is, moreover, important to divest our
minds of the popular notion that identical or similar forms
of life in geologic periods were synchronous. ‘There is
abundant evidence, for example, that the Miocene flora of
Germany, though in many, or perhaps all, its species iden-
Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life. 205
tical with the Miocene flora of Spitsbergen, Novaya Zemlya,
Grinnel Land, Melville Island, the Parry Islands, Bering’s
Straits, and Greenland, was in time incalculably posterior
to it. By still greater intervals must the strata nearer the
equator be separated from similar Polar deposits.
Geologists are agreed that in the Miocene period the
North Polar region was a continental area, supporting
throughout its extent the same or similar forms of life, as
evidenced by the remains found in the districts named above,
which may be looked on as the relics of that submerged
continent. Here life was generally diffused, and, judging
from the fossil plants—the Magnolias, Sequotas, and the
like—the temperature was that of the present equatorial
zone. During the secular refrigeration of the earth the
temperature of this continent gradually decreased till it
became wholly incapable of supporting such life as we now
find in the torrid and temperate zones. There were only
two routes of exit for the retreating aquatic and littoral
forms: the openings of the North Atlantic and North Pacific
Oceans, between Greenland and Scandinavia, and between
Kamschatka and the Rocky Mountains. Down these four
lines the fauna and flora of every kind steadily, but reluc-
tantly, retired in slow succession, progressing no faster than
the modification of the climate demanded. The further they
proceeded southwards, the more isolated they became from
those which had taken a different route. The law of isola-
tion produced its invariable result, unchecked by that inter-
breeding which might have arrested departure from the
original type. The more sedentary the species, the more
marked became the divergence. Those species which were
the first to leave—the ancestors of the present tropical inha-
bitants—became the most differentiated. Those which were
the last to leave, and which most persistently revisited their
ancestral homes, there associated with their kinsfolk from
east and west, and thus preserved the original type through-
out the world; as we see in the case of the Knot, the Sander-
ling, the Turnstone, and many other Waders, which breed
generally throughout the Arctic circle. The Gulls, on the
a
206 Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life.
contrary, never going far from the open sea to breed, com-
mingled very little, if at all, with their congeners from the
other oceans, and their conditions of life being identical,
whether in the Atlantic or Pacific, the changes were but
slight in corresponding species of either ocean, notwith-
standing their segregation in their breeding haunts.
Meanwhile, as the Polar continent continued to cool, the
accumulation of snow and ice over its whole surface became
so enormous from the precipitation of frozen vapour, as to
equal the present deposits on the Southern Polar continent.
The continuous land area prevented the circulation of the
equatorial currents round the Pole. This was going on
throughout the Pliocene era. The glaciers pushed down
across the Atlantic in the latitude of the British Isles, and
formed a complete barrier from America to Europe. At
length the superincumbent mass on the Polar continent
pressed down that area below the sea-level, with the excep-
tion of the higher lands, which became islands. The glaciers
sank to the edge of the ocean. The equatorial current did
its work ; the ice-blocks became detached, the ancient land
behind them was now submerged. The warm Atlantic
stream burst in towards the Pole, and the glacial epoch
gradually melted away. But with this influx of warmer
water, the submerged land, relieved of its superincumbent
weight, gradually began to rise again wherever touched by
the equatorial current. This process we see going on before
our eyes in the elevation of Scandinavia, and the still more
rapid upheaval of Spitsbergen, Grinnel Land, the Parry
Archipelago, and Novaya Zemlya which has risen 100 feet in
less than 300 years. Meanwhile Greenland, struck by the
Polar instead of the equatorial current, and overpowered by the
weight of its glaciers and ice-deposits, is as steadily sinking.
But this process of the glacial epoch, with the phenomena
and results of which we are so familiar, appears to have been
confined to the region between Hudson’s Bay and the White
Sea. There does not seem to be any clear evidence that
there was any synchronous period of gelation, either in
Northern Asia or in America west of Hudson’s Bay. Geikie
, ae
Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life. 207
limits the extension of the ice-age in Europe to the north
and central portions as far as Sa: ony, the Alps, and Pyrenees ;
and in America to Canada and the eastern States as far as
the 39th parallel of north latitude. Nordenskidld, im the
“ Voyage of the ‘ Vega’,” repeatedly remarks upon the evi-
dence which Siberia affords that it has not been subject to
any great geographical changes since the Jurassic period
(vol. 11. p. 209, &e.), and he writes of the shores of the Arctic
Ocean :—“ It is certain that the ice-cap did not extend over
the plains of Siberia, where it can be proved that no ice-age,
in a Scandinavian sense, ever existed, and where the state
of the land from the Jurassic period onwards was indeed
subjected to some changes, but to none of the thoroughgoing
mundane revolutions which in former times geologists loved
to depict in so bright colours. At least the direction of the
rivers appear to have been unchanged since then. Perhaps
even the difference between the Siberia where Chikanovski’s
Ginko woods grew and the mammoth roamed about, and
that where now, ata limited depth under the surface, con-
stantly frozen ground is to be met with, depends merely on
the isothermal lines having sunk slightly towards the equator ”
(vol. 11. p. 246). Al the evidence tending to show the limited
area of the glacial epoch proves,—first, that we have no need
to invoke changes connected with the eccentricity of the
earth’s orbit, for then the extension of the ice-clad region
would have been circumpolar, instead of being grouped
round the North Atlantic; secondly, that we need not
invoke the glacial epoch at all, still less an definite number
of glacial epochs, to account for the present phenomena of
distribution and migration, for then the solution would apply
only to the Atlantic distribution; while, dismissing these
disorderly interruptions, the secular refrigeration of the globe
suffices for all.
Confining myself, as in the pages of ‘The Ibis’ I am
bound to do, to the avifauna exclusively, and abstaining
from the attractive illustrations of the subject afforded by
, the Mollusca, and still more by the Flora, I would venture to
( sugest that the gradual refrigeration is sufficient of itself to
—
208 Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life.
explain the distribution of species, and to account for the
phenomena of migration. We have assumed that there were
but three principal lines of migration southward. Why, it
may be asked, should we assume these special limes? Why
may not the exiles have departed over land in any direction ?
/That the fourth coast-line, down the east of North America,
was unimportant—if followed at all—appears from the fact
that the central area of North America was at that period
the basin of a vast shallow sea, with, perhaps, a few islets ;
and that south of New England the land continuity must
have been broken. And as to the departing overland in any
direction, our hypothesis assumes the heredity of habits, and
we know that for the most part migrants, where possible, hug
the coast-line or follow the bases of mountain-ranges. As-
suming, too, the reluctance of the first exiles to move, this
being also founded on the heredity we now observe, they
would be shut out by the frost from the interior lands, and
would congregate on the river-banks and along the shores
for food, as many of our native non-migrants do now—e. g.,
the Rook—before they finally took flight for the south. On
all these questions connected with distribution and migra-
tion the various papers of Mr. Seebohm in ‘The Ibis’
and elsewhere have been most instructive, and he has
dealt with the subject at much greater length in his new
work on the Waders, of which he has kindly allowed me to
see the advanced sheets. I am aware that Mr. Seebohm
invokes glacial epochs and alternations of climate extending
over enormous eras uniformly in the circumpolar area to
explain the present distribution of bird-lfe, and that he
would also attribute to some—as to the Hirundinide—a South
Polar origin. I am not prepared to contest his theory of
past geologic history, but only to submit that they are not
necessary for our solution.
I have in my former paper taken the distribution of the
Picide and of Pica as illustrations. Before adducing other
groups, I may, perhaps, be allowed to lay down certain
generalized deductions on migration and distribution :—
stil
Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life. 209
| 1. That all birds breed at the northernmost limit of
their range.
2. That those which penetrate furthest north for nidi-
fication, whether species or individuals, usually
retire furthest south.
3. That all northward migration is for the purpose of
nidification; the southward being for food or
warmth.
4. That the lines of migration are very different in the
case of different species, and often intersect each
other.
5. That birds which breed in the tropics do not migrate,
unless in the case of birds which ascend the moun-
tains for nidification, and descend to the plains in
winter, as various Thrushes in the Andes, and num-
berless species in the Himalayas.
If it be asked, why, on the doctrine of heredity, should
not all birds migrate for nidification? I would reply that
these tropical genera are the descendants of those which left
the Poles at a much earlier period than others, before their
structure or habits had become in any degree adapted to the
decreasing temperature, and therefore steadily retreated as
the cold increased. Take, for example, the great family of
the Humming-birds, one of the most differentiated in our
avifauna. The ancestors must have left the Pole by the
western shore-line of N. America. They may have been
confined originally to the portion of the old Arctic continent
nearest Bering’s Straits, or the parties which took the other
routes have perished and left no trace behind. Working
southwards they threw out colonies, especially to the east-
ward, and peopled the Antilles, where, as further south, the
sedentary parties soon became differentiated. Still following
the retreating warmth, they settled in tropical South America,
and being a forest- and mountain-loving race, they clung espe-
cially to either side of the Andes. The vast eastern plain-region
of the Amazons was then probably too hot for them. Some re-
mained at different altitudes of the mountain-ranges, segre-
gated in little groups, venturing neither to face the heat of the
—
210 Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life.
plains nor the increasing cold of their northern cradle. But
the southern plains were then much hotter than at present.
Some therefore daringly pushed towards the extremity of the
continent. Those which struggled as far as Juan Fernandez
remained isolated, having reached it after the imstinct of
migration had been weakened by desuetude, and so became
distinct and sedentary species, accommodating themselves to
the reduction of temperature. Those which kept to the line
of the continent and reached Tierra del Fuego, like Huste-
phanus galeritus, retreated again as the temperature fell in
winter, and became one of the few exceptions to the rule of
northward migration for nidification. A similar modification
was induced in the sedentary species of the Andes as the
climate cooled ; till now some may be found near the snow-
line, while others are almost confined toa single crater. But
while species multiphed by segregation, whether in islands or
on mountain-sides, there were those which never lost their
hereditary attachment to the north ; and so we find on the
one side Trochilus colubris pushing its adventurous journey
as far as Labrador, and on the other Selasphorus rufus up to
Nootka Sound. We can scarcely account for the prodigious
annual expeditions by these tiniest specimens of bird-kind on
any other principle than that of heredity. It cannot be
climate nor the search for suitable food which impels them ;
for both suitable food and temperature are to be found
thousands of miles nearer their winter-quarters. I think,
too, that the case of these two Humming-birds disposes of
the hypothesis of an acquired habit. Nosuch habit could be
acquired unless it were for thé benefit of the species, and the
‘loss of life from storm and enemies during this expedition of
_ over 3000 miles must be prodigious. The fact of these two
species taking such divergent routes on either side of the
continent seems to indicate a very early dispersal of the family
over the neotropical area.
The Thrush tribe is, perhaps, the most universally dis-
tributed of the Passerine family. Taking what we may call
the true Thrushes—i.e. Mr. Seebohm’s genera of Geocichla,
Turdus, Merula, Mimocichla, Catharus, and Monticola—we
Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life. 211
find the group represented in every region and in every dis-
trict of every region of the world, excepting in New Zealand.
In habits the species vary from the widest limits of migra-
tion to the most limited localization. It would seem as
though the progenitors had pursued every available route as
they retired from the Pole. But the most southern and
sedentary species have indisputably a northern origin. Take,
for instance, the Blackbird. We find, to mention only a few
species out of many, in Western Europe, in Eastern Asia, in
the mountains of Ecuador, in the Samoa Islands, Turdus
merula, T. mandarinus, T. serranus, and T. samoensis, all
Blackbirds, differing only in size and in some slight pecu-
liarities, such as the colour of the legs. These must have
had a common ancestry, whose progenitors, we may sup-
pose, had become differentiated from any other type of
Turdide before they left the Polar continent. It is impos-
sible to conceive that T. serranus and T. merula were derived
the one from the other, or that the two have ever been in
contact since their progenitors left their ancestral home.
But if there were a Blackbird generally spread over the
Arctic continent, and dispersed, partly down the East At-
lantic line, and partly down the east and west coasts of the
Pacific, the progenitors of T. serranus and its neotropical
congeners must have travelled down by the Rocky-Mountain
range, till, reaching the higher Andes, they found on the moun-
'tain-slopes the changes they required, and substituted a vertical
for a latitudinal migration, according to the season. Similarly,
the progenitors of 7. merula spread over Europe and became
migratory to a very limited extent; while a third party,
skirting Eastern Asia, followed the mountain-ranges from
China westward ; and became slightly differentiated, as they
settled in various districts, into the numerous species of
Blackbirds of Eastern Asia. Some of this party, more adven-
turous than their fellows, appear to have crossed into Formosa,
and there slightly dwindling in size, partially acquired that
white plumage so often characteristic of insular forms, and
became the White-headed Blackbird, T. albiceps, of Formosa.
From this adventurous race seem to have sprung the many
212 Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life.
species inhabiting the Pacific Islands, of which some thirteen
have been already described, varying from black to brown,
some with grey, ashen, or buff heads; but all small of stature,
and all having an unmistakable family resemblance, and all
sedentary in their respective islands. But the Blackbirds
were among the last of the Turdide to leave the far north.
They had become comparatively acclimatized, as well as dif-
ferentiated ; and in this way we may account for the absence
of this group of Turdide from the Ethiopian fauna, the
Blackbird finding the temperate climate of Europe adapted
to its needs, and being therefore not tempted to push further
south than the Mediterranean coasts. At the time of the
emigration of the Blackbirds the accumulation of ice may
have commenced in the glacial epoch on the West Atlantic
coast, and consequently no species of this group occur in
North America.
But there were probably two previous principal epochs of
emigration of the Turdide from the north. The first and
earliest would seem to have been that of the genus Oreocinela,
the least differentiated of the family. These earliest emi-
grants only made a partial exodus, and that down the line
of Eastern Asia, They seem to have emigrated before the
family had become sufficiently differentiated to lose in ma-
turity the spotted plumage of the young. As is well known,
all the Oreocincle, alone of this family, retain the same
markings through life. Some of the emigrants soon halted,
penetrating no further than Japan and China. These retained
their attachment to the place of their origin ; and to this day
Oreocincla varia, while retiring even as far as the Philippines
in winter, returns to Siberia for nidification. From China
one party penetrated to the Himalayas and sent colonies
along the central mountain-ranges down to Ceylon. All
these soon learned to content themselves with a seasonal
vertical migration, like the subsequent settlements of Black-
birds. Others reached Formosa and there remained, while
others, finding the plains and valleys too hot, pushed further
south, even to Australia and Tasmania, leaving a few settlers
on each island on their route, which have gradually become
Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life. 213
specifically or subspecifically distinct from long isolation :
Java, New Guinea, Timor Laut, N. Australia, S. Australia,
‘Tasmania, and probably other islands, possessing their re-
cognized sedentary varieties, but all mountaineers in the
breeding-season.
Next, but long after, when the family within the Arctic
continent had learned in some degree to adapt itself to the
diminishing temperature, and had, at the same time, modified
its adult plumage, the great mass of the Thrushes were
driven southward on the second or great migration. The
retreating parties would seem to have followed all the possible
lines of retreat, and many of them to have boldly crossed the
ocean north of Siberia and followed up the course of its mighty
rivers. Many remained in the north, some of whom, repre-
sented by our Fieldfares and Redwings, clung most perti-
naciously to their homes, and went no further than compelled
by dire necessity. Others, among them the ancestors of our
Song Thrush and Missel Thrush, adopted various routes,
but principally the East Atlantic and the Siberian rivers,
and returning north each year, have, by mutual intercourse,
maintained across Europe and the greater part of Asia the
ancestral type unchanged. Again, a considerable portion
of these migrants, followmg down the west of Africa,
spread eastward over that continent, and, their return being
barred by the Saharan desert, became strictly sedentary in
their various localities, where they have become differ-
entiated into some dozen species. A strageler or two of
this adventurous flight reached even Tristan d’Acunha, where
his wings were so clipped that he abandoned all thought of
foreign travel ; until now some of his friends refuse to recog-
nize him, and would have us believe that he is no Thrush,
but a Timaline.
The small size, the spotted breast, the strong generic affi-
nities of the Nearctic Thrushes, and their marked distinction
from all the South-American species, would lead me to
believe that they are descendants of ancestors which peopled
N. America by way of Greenland and Labrador : probably at
a period when the central area was submerged. They have
214 Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life.
all retained their hereditary attachment to the north, and
the extent of their migration from their winter in the tropics
to the shores of the Arctic Ocean is not surpassed by any
land-bird.
A far more important body of colonists was that which
worked down Western America to Panama and then divided
eastward and southward. From these spring the bulk of the
neotropical Thrushes, which, with the exception of 7. migra-
torius, seem to have lost, from isolation, the habit of any save
vertical migration ; while others, as 7’. falklandicus, are, from
circumstances, strictly sedentary. But those which followed
the eastward route from Panama afford a remarkable instance
of the effects of isolation. We have first the continental
group of Mexico and Central America, forming the recognized
genus Catharus; all the species of which are, so far as we
know, sedentary. For this exception I can suggest no ex-
planation, unless that their ancestors, baffled by the sub-
merged area of the now Mississippi valley, abandoned the
effort to revisit the north. In the case of the colonists of
South America, we must remember that, travelling south by
the lofty Andean ranges, they would escape the then intolerable
heat of the lower equatorial regions, and that when once
settled on the side of the mountains or in the temperate
southern regions, the heat of the equatorial belt might repel
their efforts to revisit the north. Perhaps the most inter-
esting development of all in this family is that of the Mimo-
cichle in the Antilles. These certainly have a common
origin, and seem to come most naturally as among the results
of this great migration. . Each species is confined to a single
island, and they certainly must have been differentiated
where they now are. I am not at all certain that we ought
not also to include among these results the Cichlherminia
group of the Lesser Antilles. It is certainly remarkable that,
whether in the Pacific or West Indies, a species which has
once bred in an island, even the smallest, seems always to
lose its migratory instinct, however strongly that habit may
be impressed on the family generally.
A large party of emigrants must have chosen the Hast
Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life. 215
Pacific route, by Kamschatka and Japan. All the East-
Asiatic species, some thirteen in number, with the doubtful
exception of 7. javanicus, appear to be strongly migratory
in their habits; all reverting to N.E. Asia for nidification,
and thus indicating the route by which their ancestors first
set forth. It is very possible that these species, as well as
many of those which adopted other routes, had become segre-
gated before their final departure from the Arctic continent.
Mr. Seebohm would explain this by the theory of successive
emigrations during successive glacial epochs, the species
being developed in different southerly regions during isola-
tion from kinsfolk, and then returning with the retrocession
of the ice. The species now having become perfectly distinct,
set forth again at the next giacial epoch, each of those species
being the generic progenitor from which many existing species
have evolved. Without denying the possibility of this hypo-
thesis, 1 think that one partial glacial epoch may explain
approximately the existing conditions of the Thrush family.
I have taken the Thrushes as one illustration, and I think
a similar method might be applied in the treatment
of all the principal families. I do not think that there is
any evidence of a South-Polar origin for any of our land-
birds, any more than for any of our Flora above the lowest
_eryptogams. I have already, in my last paper, admitted the
probability of the southern origin of the Penguins—a conjec-
ture strengthened by the recent demonstration of the struc-
tural difference between the wing-feathers of this and any
other known family. Perhaps the Petrels might be added as
of probable southern origin ; by far the larger proportion of
species being inhabitants of the Southern Ocean, while the
curious habit of nesting in burrows near the tops of moun-
tains, away from their ordinary haunts, may have been
derived from the absence of any low-lying land in the Ant-
arctic continent.
A southern origin has also been suggested for the
Swallows. I fail to see the force of the arguments in
support of the hypothesis. All Swallows, like all other
birds, breed at the northern limit of their range,—a fact,
216 Canon Tristram on the Polar Origin of Life.
the origin of which I propose to explain by the heredity of
attachment to their place of origin. It is true that there
are many more species of Swallows which breed in the southern
than in the northern regions. But these are simply, like the
Ethiopian and Neotropical Thrushes, races which have become
sedentary, and thus been specialized into local species. In
the countries in which these local species are found, the indi-
viduals of the migratory sorts, spending our winter in South
Africa, exceed ten-fold or fifty-fold the number of all the
sedentary species. Why should this be, but because the
continued habit of reversion to the north, and the intercourse
with their fellows from other southern regions whom they
there meet, have secured permanence of type and checked
the tendency to variation by segregation which marks the
permanent dwellers in Southern Africa? Ifthe Hirundinidee
had had a southern origin, how could the habit of northward
migration have originated? Not certainly by imitation,
for their flight is more rapid than that of most other
travellers. Not from absence of food in the south, for where
the sedentary species can find support so could the migratory.
Besides, as we know, in the case of Hirundo savignii and
Cotile rupestris, there are sedentary species in the north as
well as in the south.
If the Swallow tribe had a southern origin, there has been
no theory yet advanced on migration which could possibly be
reconciled with the facts of its life-history. Genera are but
arbitrary divisions, and the fact that of the eleven genera of
Hirundinide, most of which are very unsubstantial and
shadowy abstractions, only one is cosmopolitan, and that now
confined to the Palearctic Region, rather goes to illustrate
the enormous powers of flight of the family, and the ease
with which so great a change as that from a roving toa
sedentary life has modified the specific characters of the
group. The one fact that none of the migratory Hirun-
dinidze breed in the southern hemisphere, though visiting it
at the times of the nidification of the local species, seems to
be of itself proof enough of a northern origin.
Prof. W. K. Parker on Long-faced Birds. 217
XVI.—WNote on Long-faced Birds.
By W. K. Parker, F.R.S.
In the skull of the Curlew (Numenius arquata) there is a
structural advance upon that of the typical Plovers, besides
the special elongation of the face for the purposes of explor-
ation or probing. Now this elongation of the face, which is
relatively much less than in certain Humming-birds, takes
place much earlier than in them; for as Dr. Shufeldt has
shown*, in Humming-birds, the face at the time of hatching
is but little more elongated than in the ripe embryo of an
ordinary singing-bird. In the embryo of Numenius arquata,
one third ripe, the skull is longer than the rostrum; but in
embryos three fourths ripe the skull and rostrum are equal
in length; they are each 20 millim. long. The rostrum
has not yet begun to be arcuate+. So that in ripe em-
bryos the rostrum is far advanced in growth. The same
thing takes place in the Kiwi (Apteryx australis), as the
observations of my son show. These facts, added to what I
have found in the Guillemot, namely, that its endo-cranium
undergoes an actual shortening in the egg, seem to me to
prove that long-faced birds are not a new thing on the earth.
Nevertheless, I do think that relatively to these terrestrial,
wading, and water-birds, the long-faced forms of the Hum-
ming-birds are new ; and that in their case the elongation has
‘taken place correlatively with the remarkable development of
the flowers of certain neotropical plants. Mud-banks, the
home of innumerable Annelids and other invertebrate
creatures, the feeding-grounds of wading and water-birds,
are not things of yesterday; flowers with their nectary at
the bottom of a very long tubular corolla must be a
relatively modern modification.
* Tn an unpublished paper.
+ These embryos were the gift of Prof. A. Newton, F.R.S.
BSER. V.— VOL. VI. Q
218 Lieut. W. W. Cordeaux on the Birds of
XVII. —Notes on the Birds of Cashmere and the Dras District.
By Lieut. W. Witrrip Corpeaux (Queen’s Bays).
In forwarding these rough notes to ‘The Ibis,’ I must apolo-
gize for their many shortcomings, pleading, as some extenu-
ation, that I am only a young beginner in ornithology, and
that previous to my visit to Cashmere, in the summer of
1887, I had but little acquaintance with the avifanna of the
country, except such information as I had been able to gather
from Jerdon’s ‘ Birds of India’ and the ‘ Wanderings of a
Naturalist? by Leith-Adams. It is therefore more than
probable that many of my facts have already been recorded
by the able ornithologists who have visited these districts.
My journal was originally sent to my father, Mr. John
Cordeaux, along with a small collection of about sixty skins
and eggs, representing the majority of the species which are
mentioned by me.
During the latter part of April to the second week in July
1887, I spent my leave in the valley of Cashmere and the
Dras district. After a rapid journey up the Jhelum valley,
T arrived at Baramoula, where the Jhelum leaves the valley
and rushes down the rocky gorge to Rampur. The road is
earried along the hill-side, while the river roars and thunders
hundreds of feet below, and you look down upon it over the
tree-tops and across dense thickets of flowering shrubs,
azaleas and rhododendrons. Far above tower the great snow-
peaks, dazzling white in the tropic sun ; so calm and unchang-
ing that I do not wonder the old Hindoos and Greeks made
them the home of the gods. In some places we passed
through masses of hawthorn, now in full bloom; and the
sweet scent of the may-blossom recalled thoughts of the old
country, and those great hawthorns, all covered with grey
lichen, which I had last seen in the east-coast districts of
Lincolnshire.
At Rampur I took a boat for Srinagar, and in coasting
up the Woolar lake I noticed large flocks of Starlings (Sturnus
unicolor= 8. nitens, Hume.—J. C.), together with Rooks and
Daws, feeding in the meadows near the lake, but did not see
Cashmere and the Dras District. 219
any of the Common Starling, as mentioned by Leith-Adams.
On the water were several flocks of the White-eyed Duck
(Fuligula nyroca), also some Teal, but most of the Ducks
have now flown northward to breed. The lake is very shal-
low and dotted with green islands, on which are small home-
steads with lean cattle and sorry-looking horses grazing
about. ‘Tall poplars stud the landscape, and many pear-trees,
now in bloom. The scenery reminded me of Holland and
Denmark ; only that huge snow-clad mountains bound the
view, to which the shores of the lake gradually slope up.
During the passage on the lake I saw a solitary Brown-headed
Gull; and a Wagtail with a brilliant yellow breast, which I
made out to be Motacilla melanope. I also noticed a Bald-
headed Eagle, and that very beautiful Magpie, Urocissa
flavirostris.
On the 22nd of April I began the march up the Scind
valley, seeing very few birds on the way. At Sonamurg, two
marches from the Zogila pass, I saw several White-capped
Redstarts (Ruticilla leucocephala), also flocks of the Cinnamon-
headed Sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus). At the foot of the
pass were some Choughs (Fregilus himalayanus) ; also several
pair of Corvus culminatus, which flew down and settled on the
stones round the camp, on the look-out for any thing they
could get.
April 25th. Crossed the pass in a heavy snow-storm; at
the summit my servant caught a Quail (Coturnix communis)
quite exhausted. Flocks of the Snow Pigeon (Columba leu-
conota) were feeding on the patches of vegetation from which
the snow had melted. Camped at Mataiun, a group of filthy
hovels on the Dras river. Amongst the birds seen were the
Himalayan Chough, Suow Pigeon, Rock Thrush, and several
Partridges (Caccabis chukar), a brace of which I shot.
April 26th. Marched from Mataiun to Dras, where there
is a small fort with a Sikh garrison. It is a wild-looking
land: agreat pass, with a river, half-choked with big boulders,
rushing through it; around are lofty snow-clad mountains,
and here and there on the lower hills in the foreground some
flat-roofed Tartar houses, with a few half-starved cattle and
Q2
220 Lieut. W. W. Cordeaux on the Birds of
ragged ponies. Shot a pair of Rock Pigeons (Columba inter-
media) ; did not, however, see any C. rupestris, mentioned by
Leith-Adams as occurring here. Saw a Magpie just before
arriving at the small fort of Dras, and after this saw several ;
they are very tame and bold, and would allow a person to
approach within a few yards. I failed to see any difference
between them and our English Magpies.
Halted two days at Dras, and then marched forward to
Jashgaur. On the road were a pair of Ravens ; I got quite
close to them, and from their large high-ridged beak and
size should say they were the Thibet Raven (Corvus tibet-
anus*) ; they were certainly larger than the Ravens we see
in the Punjab, two or three pairs of which nest in the wood
at the bottom of the cavalry “ maidan ” at Umballah, where I
have taken their eggs.
May \st. Arrived at a nullah about three miles from
Jashgaur, where I had the camp pitched on a flat piece of
ground among the rocks just above the river. The banks
of the Dras river are here covered in places with stunted
willows and a few juniper. While exploring the hills above
the camp saw several Snow Pheasants (Tetraogallus hima-
layensis). Their flight is very strong and fast, like that of
an old cock Grouse. The native name is “ Ram Chicore.”
In the vicinity of the camp I noticed a pair of the Blue-
throated Warblers (Cyanecula leucocyanea), with a white spot
on the centre of the throat; while sitting in the tent I had a
very close view of one, as the bird came within a few yards.
I often saw them, and no doubt they were going to breed
there +.
* [Corvus tibetanus, Hodgs., is regarded as scarcely separable from
C. corax, L. (Ibis, 1870, p. 141).—J. C.]
+ {In a subsequent letter my son says he is quite certain as to the
species. Five examples, all males, shot in April and May at Yarkand
by Mr. Scully, all belonged to the red-throated race (‘Stray Feathers,’
vol. iv. 1876, p. 105), and Mr. Seebohm, in his ‘ British Birds,’ p. 274,
remarks, “ I have never seen an Asiatic skin, and doubt its occurrence
in Asia.”—J. C.] |
(Mr. Seebohm has a specimen of a male of C. suecica, obtained at
Moscow on May 2nd; and unless carefully examined, in the hand, any- fi
Cashmere and the Dras District. 221
I frequently saw Dippers [probably Cinclus cashmiriensis,
Gould.—J. C.] of a very dark grey, almost black, which
were constantly dashing into the water, remaining beneath
several seconds. They usually chose some back eddy
behind a large stone. Several pairs of Choughs (Pyrrho-
corax alpinus) were to be seen with the glass amongst the
hills; and I once watched a pair for about an hour busily
employed in picking ticks from a large ibex which was
lying stretched out on a rock in the sun. During the first
fortnight in May I was generally out each day on the moun-
tains at a great elevation, and clambering over the most
precipitous ground after ibex. On one day, after a most
fatiguing stalk, my shikary at last gave me an awkward shot
down hill at 300 yards. The ball went between the creature’s
legs, and the beast shuffled off up hill, like a huge shambling
goat.
On one occasion I saw a musk-deer, which jumped up
close to me, and might easily have been shot, had it not
been for the risk of alarming any ibex within hearing on the
mountain.
On the 12th IJ left Jashgaur for Cashmere and the lower
country, being at that time completely prostrated with
“height sickness,” induced by the extreme rarity of the air
of those high altitudes. During the march back I was far
too ill to observe anything, and, when not on the march,
I was obliged to remain inside the tent. When in the Zogila
_ pass I noticed a Cuckoo seated on a boulder, but was not able
to get a very near view.
May 19th. During the last march through the Scind
valley noticed large flocks of the European Bee-eater (Merops
apiaster), one of which I procured.
May 20th. When crossing the lake again, the reed-beds
one would say that it was an example of the White-spotted Bluethroat.
Nevertheless, on inspecting the white gorget, and especially on raising
the feathers, chestnut-coloured streaks down the shafts are plainly visible,
and that colour is evidently being assumed, although at a distance of two
_| feet the keenest eye could not detect it—H. SAUNDERS. |]
222 Lieut. W. W. Cordeaux on the Birds of
swarmed with Acrocephalus brunnescens, their loud harsh
note being heard everywhere. I found the nest attached to
reeds and constructed of dry grasses, but without eggs.
May 29th. Shot a young male Paradise Flycatcher (Tchi-
trea paradisea) in chestnut plumage, having the long tail.
I am encamped in an old park of gigantic plane trees, from
250 to 300 years old, said to have been planted by Akbar
Khan. The place swarms with Daws and Sturnus unicolor.
The Golden Oriole is common, but it is hard to see him, as
he is a very wary and shy bird.
June 1st. Shot a pair of Lanius erythronotus; also a
female of Oriolus kundoo, and took the nest of the latter, con-
taining one egg, of a pale rosy-white colour, with a few black
spots. The nest was built of dry grass, and hung suspended
from-a willow-bough over the water.
June 3rd. Shot Geocichla unicolor, a male. This bird is
found all over the valley, and has a very pleasing note, not
unlike that of the English Thrush; also obtained Budytes
calcaratus, Hodgs., a fine male, and a young Tchitrea para-
disea, in what appears the first year’s plumage.
June 5th. Gota male Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydropha-
sianus chirurgus) ; later on I took the eggs, pyriform in shape
and of a finedark bronze-colour; the nest was made on one
of the large beds of floating weed with which the lake is
more or less covered.
June 6th. Saw a pair of Wrynecks, one of which, the male,
was procured ; also three White-cheeked Bulbuls (Otocompsa
leucogenys) and two Grebes, both males (Podiceps philip-
pensis*). I found the nest of the latter, with one egg, of a
dirty green colour. The nest was a mere mass of decay-
ing weeds, resting on a large lily-leaf and attached to some
rushes. There was a great deal of heat in the nest from the
decaying weeds, the egg itself being completely hidden by
weeds and almost under water.
June 7th. Procured an example of the Grey Tit (Parus
cinereus), and also took a nest of Turtur meena, Sykes [ T. ru-
picola, Pallas.—J.C.], from alow willow tree. Found several
* [Probably not separable from P. minor, L.—J. C.]
Cashmere and the Dras District. 223
nests of Lanius erythronotus; near one I perceived the old
bird eating a young Sparrow, which had been well able to fly.
Jerdon, on the authority of Mr. Phillips, says this Shrike never
attacks birds, only preying on insects. I also found a nest
of Ofocompsa leucogenys, built, as described by Mr. Hutton
(Jerdon’s ‘ Birds of India,’ vol. ii. pt. 1, p. 90), of grass, and
lined with very fine grasses ; it contained five eggs, nearly
hatched out, of a pale rosy ground, covered with purple and
claret-coloured blotches. On an island near Nusseem Bagh
were several nests of Corvus splendens, built in pollards and
low mulberry-trees not more than twelve or fifteen feet in
height ; some contained young birds, in others the eggs were
nearly hatched, and in one only were they fresh laid.
June 8th. Left for Islamabad. The journey from Srinagar
takes two days up the Jhelum in boats. Noticed at evening
large flocks of Merops apiaster flying down from the hills to
roost in the chunor trees. Saw also a pair of White-tailed
Eagles (Poloaetus ichthyaetus).
June 10th. Arrived at Bowun, near Islamabad. Pitched
the camp in what has been an old garden, as there are stone
channels for irrigation. The tents are shaded by huge planes ;
above the garden are two large tanks, lined with masonry,
and with steps leading to the water; these are full of tame
fishes, some of which are very big; when you throw food on
the water the surface becomes immediately packed by a
dense jostling crowd, as close as if enclosed inanet. Found
the nest of Tchitrea paradisea in an apple-tree, and disturbed
the old bird from it, in chestnut plumage with long tail. This
nest contained four eggs, of a very pale rosy colour, with
burnt-sienna spots ; it was constructed of grass, bound
together with cobwebs and a small cocoon; the lining was
of hair and fine roots; a number of crows’ feathers were
worked into the outside. Numbers of Bee-eaters were hawk-
ing round the low hills. In the afternoon I walked to the
ruins of the temple sacred to the sun; the architecture is
Indo-Grecian, and dates from about 250 B.c. The central
shrine is surmounted by a cloistered court, with Ionic pillars
and spaces for windows between ; the walls have niches filled
224 Lieut. W. W. Cordeaux on the Birds of
with sculptured figures of Hindoo gods. In the locality saw
several pairs of Pratincola ferrea haunting the low shrubs.
June 10th. Saw several pairs of the Drongo Shrike (Bu-
changa longicaudata), also Sylvia curruca.
June 11th. Noticed Lobivanellus goensis up the Lidur
valley.
June 12th. Marched to Atsibul; here isa nice old garden,
with a series of tanks and watercourses placed one above the
other in terraces, the water falling in cascades from one ter- —
race to another; beyond these is a hill covered with hazels
and deodars, and at the foot a great body of water rushes up
out of the earth. This is the source of the Jhelum. There
are some very fine planes in the garden, and my bearers say
the reason they are so big is that Akbar Shah had them
irrigated with milk. During the day saw large numbers of
the Indian Titlark (Anthus rufulus), also several pairs of
Ceryle rudis. In the garden I shot an example of the pretty
Himalayan Goldfinch (Carduelis caniceps) ; they are fairly
common in the valley. In the pines were flocks of the small
Zosterops palpebrosa. The Stonechat (Pratincola indica)
is very common, usually sitting on the low bushes or on
the top of a tree, from which it makes short roving flights.
Emberiza cia is common all over the valley, and ranges quite
into Thibet.
June 14th. Marched to Verenag; on the road I noticed
several Alpine Swifts hawking along the hill-sides in com-
pany with the Common Swift.
June 15th. Obtained an example of Coccystes melanoleucus.
I had not seen this bird before in the valley, although round
Umballah it is very common in the hot weather. I also got
the Large Minivet (Pericrocotus speciosus). The woods here
swarm with the Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes psaroides) ; these
fly from tree to tree, chattering and screaming like Jays.
Phylloscopus superciliosus is common all over the North-west
Himalayas, and I saw it beyond Dras; it is very like a
Willow Wren in its habits, but not so large. I used fre-
quently to see it in the willow scrub along the river-bank.
June 16th. Went up the hill behind the camp, where I
Cashmere and the Dras District. 225
shot Hrithacus brunneus. Saw also a pair of Picus hima-
layanus ; the female is a much smaller bird than the male,
and with a considerably less powerful bill.
June 18th. Marched back to Islamabad ; on the way passed
a large heronry, built on elm trees; there must have been
seventy or eighty nests, and the trees were covered with
birds.
June 25th. Came by boat to Sopur; on the way I again
took the eggs of the Pheasant-tailed Jacana, and also those
of Hydrochelidon indica.
June 28th. Shot a Streaked Laughing Thrush (Trocha-
lopterum lineatum) .
June 29th. On the march from Baramoula to Rampur
down the Jhelum valley, noticed several Jays (Garrulus’ lan-
ceolatus) ; shot one male bird.
June 30th. Obtained an example of the Blue-headed Chat
Thrush (Orecetes cinclorhynchus), the skin of which was
unfortunately carried off by a dog. I found the Whistling
Thrush (Myiophoneus temmincki) common in the Jhelum
valley, also the Blue Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris).
July 1st. Got a bird, which I failed to identify at the
time, but subsequently found it was Henicurus maculatus *.
Noticed several Green Hill Pigeons (Sphenocercus sphenurus) .
July 2nd. Saw to-day, for the first time in the valley, a
pair of the White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon fusca).
July 4th. At Domel noticed several Black Buntings (Melo-
phus melanicterus), also a pair of Cormorants (Graculus carbo)
fishing in the Jhelum. I am stopping at a pretty dak
bungalow, built of pine wood and stone—a very superior
place, as good as you could get at home—situated just below
where the Krishna-gunga runs into the Jhelum; “ Domel”
? The thermometer
meaning ‘‘the meeting of the waters.’
here to-day was 90° in the shade.
July 6th. Shot a White-breasted Blue Woodchat (Janthia
cyanura), which I unfortunately spoilt inskinning. Noticed
* (Kindly named for me by Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, of the British
Museum, to whom I am also indebted for the determination of some other
species named in this paper.—J. C.]
226 Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jun.— Male Plumage
several Lesser Kestrels (Falco cenchris), but the skin of a
female which I procured was destroyed by ants.
July 7th. At Kohala; obtained a female Metoponia
pusilla, of which I only saw a pair, and this was the only
time I came across these birds; also Munia undulata.
July 8th. Diwal. Saw to-day several Bay-backed Shrikes
(Lanius hardwicki); this species is very common round
Umballah. The night I came down from Rawal-Pindi by
rail was one of the hottest known for many years. My
companion, an old Indian colonel, and I sat at the carriage-
windows in our night-clothing, not breathing, but gasping
for air. The ironwork in the carriage was hot at midnight,
and the water in the lavatory quite warm. The wind swept
down from the desert hills like the blast from a furnace, the
country for miles around looking as if covered with snow
from the salt efflorescence on the surface.
XVIII.—On the occasional Assumption of the Male Plumage
by Female Birds. By J. H. Gurney, Jun.
Joun Hunter, the eminent surgeon and anatomist, seems to
have been the first to bring the subject of female birds occa-
sionally assuming male plumage before scientific men in this
country (Phil. Trans. Ixx. p. 527*), though something was
known about it from the time of Aristotlet+. To such birds
Hunter applied the epithet “ monstrous,” and this, inasmuch
as it awakened the indignation of Mr. John Butter, was the
means of giving us the researches of the latter in the form of
a “Supplement,” or reply, to Hunter’s paper (‘Memoirs of
the Wernerian Soc.’ iii. p. 188). But each of them, while
clearing up much that was obscure, fell into an error; and
their errors were what might be expected, when so much yet
remained to be learnt. Hunter, who had but two species to
guide him, supposed that the change of plumage only took
place at an advanced age ; and Butter thought that a Domestic
* Reprinted, with additions, in the ‘ Animal Economy,’ p. 63.
+ Cf. Hist. Anim. lib. ix. c. 36.
assumed by Female Birds. 227
hen (Gallus) or a female Pheasant (Phasianus) would, if it
lived long enough, always assume the plumage of the cock—
a statement which he afterwards modified into “ almost
always.”
Yarrell corrected their mistakes in an elaborate paper read
before the Royal Society on the 10th May, 1827; but, much as
he had studied the subject, even he laid himself open to criti-
cism on two points. It will be seen that he did not consider
that ahen Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) could ever assume
really perfect male plumage (/. c. pp. 1 & 7); but if domestic
Fowls occasionally do so, why not a Pheasant? Indeed,
what may fairly be called an instance in point is given in
the ‘ Norwich N. Trans.’ (iv. p. 184, note), of a Pheasant, a
female, small in size, but in complete male attire, except that
it had no spurs. As a rule, however, the masculine garb
assumed by these hen Pheasants is but an approximation to
the real livery of the male; and is seldom quite the same
plumage in which a dond fide immature male Pheasant may be
found, being less spotted with black on the breast. Some-
times the first metamorphosis may be discovered in a mere
wash of red on the breast of a hen Pheasant, which is other-
wise in the normal plumage.
Yarrell gives a figure of the internal organs of a normal
female Pheasant and of one, for comparison, assuming male
plumage (/.¢. pl. xii.) In common with other observers,
he seems to have thought that a diseased state of the ovaries
always accompanied the change; but it is hardly possible
that this can be so in cases where fertile eggs are known
to have been produced; and though we cannot give an in-
stance of this fertility in the Pheasant, cases are recorded
in the domestic Fowl* ; indeed, in Passerine birds, it is pos-
sible that the change may never be accompanied by an
atrophied or other diseased state of the reproductive organs,
resulting in barrenness. A hen Pheasant in my father’s
aviary, which had partially assumed male plumage, lost it
again in confinement, as did a domestic Fowl in his chicken-
yard, which was in three parts cock’s plumage in August
* “Norwich Nat. Tr.’ iv. p. 391.
228 Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jun.— Male Plumage
1887, and has now (Jan. 18th, 1888) almost lost it. There
is little doubt that female wild Pheasants, and those brought
up by hand which have become wild, frequently approximate
to the male plumage, and revert to their normal female
plumage, without anyone observing it. Of course there
is no ground for thinking that such birds as these would
not then breed, if the transformation had not taken place at
too great an age. The rule seems to be that Gallinaceous
female birds generally become barren when they assume and
while they wear male plumage, but that Passerme birds
generally do not, as will appear hereafter.
Ducks—in most cases domesticated Wild Ducks—have
been several times known to assume, or nearly assume, the
plumage of the drake, generally when very old, and it has been
assumed that they were not fertile ; but we have no tangible
evidence to prove that such was the case. A female Merganser
(Mergus serrator) assuming male plumage, examined by my
father (Zool. 1854, p. 4252), showed no signs of disease in the
ovary, and there is no reason for assuming that she had not
bred, or that she would not do so. On the other hand, Mr.
Cecil Smith has a female Wigeon (Mareca penelope) on his
ponds near Taunton, which assumed the male plumage some
years ago, and which, so far as he knows, has not had young
nor laid eggs.
On May 16th, 1887, a Chaffinch (Fringilla celebs) in full
male plumage was shot at Chapel Town, near Leeds, in York-
shire, by the son of Mr. W. L. Jackson, M.P.; it was
skinned by G. R. Grassham, assistant to Mr. W. E. Clarke
at the Museum, who, much to his surprise, found that it was
a female, and contained an egg, ready for laying, of a pale
blue, without markings, and another egg in a less forward
state. This Chaffinch is in every way in perfect male
plumage, and I am indebted to Mr. Clarke for his kindness
in sending these particulars with the specimen, which he
received from Grassham a few hours after the latter had dis-
sected the bird.
In the ‘ Norwich Nat. Trans.’ an enumeration was given of
female Kedstarts (Ruticilla phenicurus) assuming male plumage
assumed by Female Birds. 229
(/.¢c.), to which the following may be added :—A hen R. phe-
nicurus assuming male plumage, and very like Mr. Millais’
described in the ‘ Norwich Nat. Trans.’ iv. p. 182, was caught
by Mr. W.E. Clarke sitting upon hereggs,at Wike, near Leeds,
in June 1886; at the same time Mr. Clarke saw the cock
close by, which appeared to be in the ordinary adult plumage.
The late Mr, Henry Doubleday’s collection contained a hen
Redstart (R. phenicurus) in male plumage, which had the
ovaries ‘‘ quite perfect and full of eggs” (cf. B. of Norf. i.
p. 870, note), probably one of those alluded to by Yarrell
(Brit. B. 1st ed., i. p. 240) in the remarks made by him on
the plumage of this species. I have some recollection of
this Redstart at the dispersal of Mr. Doubleday’s collection,
but do not know who was the purchaser of it. There can
be no doubt that more would soon turn up if looked for ;
and now that attention has been drawn to the subject, and
the practice of dissection is getting more general among
birdstuffers, it is certain to be the case, not only in
Ruticilla, but in other genera besides. Why it should happen
in Ruticilla phenicurus oftener than in other Passerine birds
is hard to explain, but such is evidently the case.
The same is recorded to have happened five or six times
with the female Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) ; see
‘The Field,’ June 17, 1871, and April 25, 1885; Mag. N.H.
iv. p. 344; ‘B. of Suffolk, p. 45; ‘Ibis, 1863, p. 292; but
the number of hen Redstarts which have donned masculine
attire is greater.
The following is a list of the species in which one or more
instances of females assuming male plumage are ascertained
to have occurred :—
Falco esalon*, fide Scully.
Tinnunculus alaudarius, fide Sharpe; col. fig. P. Z. 8.
1874, p. 580.
Lanius collurio, fide Hoy.
Lanius vittatus, fide Blyth.
Ruticilla phenicurus, fide Millais, Clarke, and others.
Fringilla celebs, fide Clarke.
* Cf. Sharpe, ‘Cat. Birds Brit. Mus.’ i. p. 407.
230 Male Plumage assumed by Female Birds.
Linota cannabina, fide Blyth.
Linota rufescens, fide Blyth.
Nectarinia asiatica, fide Blyth.
Gallus (Domestic Fowl), fide Yarrell and others; col. fig.
‘ B. of Sherwood,’ p. 183.
Pavo (Peahen), fide Latham ; fig. ‘Synopsis,’ 11. pl. 60.
Meleagris (Turkey), fide Bechstein.
Phasianus colchicus, fide Edwards and others. Of common
occurrence in a semidomesticated state.
Thaumalea picta, fide Edwards.
Euplocamus nycthemerus, fide Yarrell.
Pucrasia nipalensis, fide Blyth.
Tetrao tetrix, fide Bond; col. fig. Dresser, ‘ B. of Eur.’
vi. 205.
Tetrao urogallus, fide Nilsson ; col. fig. ‘Unser Auer-,
Rackel- und Birkwild und seine Abarten,’ by A. B. Meyer.
Otis tarda, fide Tiedemann.
Anas (Domestic Duck), fide Rowley ; col. fig. ‘Orn. Mise.’
ds Pols:
Anas boschas, fide Hancock; fig. col. ‘ Scandinavisk
Fauna,’ pl. 163.
Fuligula marila, fide Blyth : see also P. Z. 8. 1885, p. 246.
Mergus serrator, fide Gurney.
Mareca penelope, fide Cecil Smith.
Perhaps the Kestrel (Tinnunculus alaudarius) ought not to
be included in this catalogue, for so many have been seen
with the lower part of the back blue or bluish, as to leave
little doubt that the female generally becomes so if she
lives long enough.
It is said that the females in Oriolus generally become as
bright as males in time (vide ‘Ibis,’ 1864, p. 412; ‘ Field,’
June 24th and July 8th, 1871).
P.S.—Mr. W. Tegetmeier tells me he has known a barn-
yard cock moult into hen’s plumage, which is the converse of
the instances narrated in this paper, and rather resembles the
annual change which takes place in Anas boschas and others
of that tribe.
On Calyptomena whiteheadi. 231
XIX.—Further Notes on Calyptomena whiteheadi. By R.
Bownpter Suarpr, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &c.
(Plate V.)
Tue brief description which I gave last year (P. Z. S. 1887,
p. 558) of this beautiful species was founded on a pair of
birds sent by Mr. John Whitehead in advance of the bulk of
his collection from Kina Balu. When the whole of the latter
arrived last autumn, I described merely the new species
(Ibis, 1887, p. 435), leaving Mr. Whitehead to give a com-
plete account of his collection on his return to Europe, which,
it is hoped, will take place next August. As many of my
readers are aware, he is at present engaged on a second
exploration of the mountain of Kina Balu, which I trust may
be as successful as the first.
Among the skins sent home by Mr. Whitehead from this
locality were two additional specimens of the Calyptomena,
one of which is a young female, in a stage of plumage which
has not yet been described. It is of a much duller green
than the old birds, and is much less mottled with the black
bases to the feathers, which give the latter such a distin-
guished appearance. ‘The head is very little crested, and
the black patch on the throat is duller and much smaller.
The green of the underparts is also much duller than in the
adults, and, as in the case of the back, the black bases to
the feathers are not seen. Mr. Whitehead states that in the
adults the “ bill is horny green, the upper mandible darker ;
feet horny green; iris black.”
The Plate accompanying the present article has been pre-
sented to this Journal by Mr. Jeffrey Whitehead, who wished
to have an early representation given in ‘The Ibis’ of this
bird, the finest of his son’s ornithological discoveries.
232 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Birds
XX.—Further Notes on the Birds of the Loo-choo Islands.
By Henry Sznsonm.
Since my paper on this subject appeared (Ibis, 1887, p. 173),
a second collection of birds from these islands has passed
through my hands, and a valuable contribution from the able
pen of Dr. Leonard Stejneger describes apparently (Pr. U.S.
Nat. Mus. 1886, pp. 634-651 *) the collection made by Mr. M.
Namiye, which formed the bases of the list furnished to me
by Mr. Pryer.
An examination of this second collection enables me to
correct some of the determinations of Mr. Pryer, and to con-
firm some of the new species described by Dr. Stejneger, so
that my previous list requires both additions and alterations.
HLALIAETUS PELAGICUS.
Mr. Pryer has sent a fine example of this noble Eagle,
a species remarkable for its wedge-shaped tail, consisting of
fourteen rectrices.
SCOPS ELEGANS.
Megascops elegans (Cassin), Stejneger, Pr. U. 8S. Nat. Mus.
1886, p. 639.
Scops semitorques, Seebohm, Ibis, 1887, p. 174.
Dr. Stejneger has compared an example of this bird from
the Loo-choo Islands with Cassin’s type in the Philadelphia
Museum, and pronounces them to be identical; but he
regards the species as fairly distinct from Scops japonicus
and widely removed from Scops glabripes.
Ninox scuTuLATUS.
Ninox japonicus, Seebohm, Ibis, 1887, p. 174.
Mr. Pryer has sent examples of this species from the Loo-
choo Islands which agree with others from Japan and China,
and are regarded by Mr. Sharpe as identical with the Indian
species.
HypsIPETES AMAUROTIS SQUAMICEPS.
Oriolus squamiceps, Kittlitz, Mém. Ac. St. Pétersbourg,
Sav. Etrang., 1. p. 241, pl. xvi. (1831).
* {Dated Feb. 14, 1887.—Ebp. }
of the Loo-choo Islands. 233
Hypsipetes preyeri, Stejneger, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1885,
p. 64:2.
Hypsipetes amaurotis, Seebohm, Ibis, 1887, p. 174.
Mr. Pryer has sent an interesting series of this bird from
the Loo-choo Islands. They resemble the Bonin-Island
form in having the breast and flanks chestnut-brown, instead
of dark grey, as in the typical race from Japan, but they
agree with the latter in size. he length of wing from the
carpal joint varies from 44 to 5 inches. I have an example
from Bonin Island (the only one I have seen), which is
slightly larger ; but until a larger series from that island has
been measured, it is premature to regard the Loo-choo form
as even subspecifically distinct from it. My example from
Bonin Island measures 135 millimetres, and is exceeded by
an example from Hakodadi, the measurement of which is
given by Dr. Stejneger as 136 millimetres.
ERITHACUS NAMIYEI.
Icoturus namiyei, Stejneger, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1886,
p. 645.
It is very difficult to say whether the bird described by
Dr. Stejneger is a stage of plumage of HL. komadori, or a local
race of that curious bird. I only know of three examples of
E.. komadori in EKurope—the male and female in the Leyden
Museum, and a male (a cage-bird from Japan) in my own
collection, which agrees with the type and not with Dr. Stej-
neger’s description. J entirely disagree with this writer’s
conclusions that this bird is not congeneric with EL. akahige
and H.rubecula. The wing is not more concave, nor are the
nostrils removed from the frontal covering. When Dr. Stej-
neger lays stress upon the strong superficial resemblance
between his Jcoturi and some of the Formicariide, remarking
that “should colour count for more than structure, then
Icoturus would come very close to Myrmeciza longipes from
Panama,” he must surely forget that the Formicariide are
known to have a different form of larynx and a different
arrangement of its muscles. The Loo-choo HE. namiyei is
said to differ from its Corean ally in three points: the flanks
SER. V.—VOL. VI. R
234 Mr. H. Seehohm on the Birds
are uniform ash-grey instead of black, margined with white on
the upper flanks; the under wing-coverts are ash-grey, mar-
gined on the outer web with rufous orange, instead of black
margined with white; and the axillaries are uniform ash-
grey, instead of white with dark centres.
PERICROCOTUS TEGIMA.
Pericrocotus tegime, Stejneger, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1886,
p- 648.
Pericrocotus cantonensis ?, Seebohm, Ibis, 1887, p. 176.
This appears to be a very good species, differing from
P. cinereus in having the white on the forehead confined to
a narrow streak from each eye, meeting along the base of
the upper mandible, in being much darker on the upper
parts, in having a broad grey band across the breast, and in
being smaller in size.
Dr. Stejneger separates the Japanese bird as P, japonicus
from the South-Siberian P. cinereus, on the ground that
in the former the back is darker, and the black of the head
extends to the mantle. I have both forms from Hongkong,
and regard the variations as individual (not as geographical),
and as probably dependent upon age.
HikUNDO NAMIYEI.
Chelidon namiyet, Stejneger, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1885,
p. 646. «
Hirundo javanica ?, Seebohm, Ibis, 1887, p. 176.
It is scarcely probable that this Swallow is more than sub-
specifically distinct from H. javanica, from which it appears
only to differ im size—the length of wing from carpal joint
being 4°6 inches, instead of 4 to 44 inches. It is said to be
green instead of blue on the upper parts; but this is also the
case with examples from Ceylon, Borneo, and Lombock.
ZOSTEROPS SIMPLEX.
Zosterops japonica, Seebohm, Ibis, 1887, p. 176.
A series of examples sent by Mr. Pryer agree exactly with
the type of the species described by Swinhoe from South
China, except that they very slightly exceed it in dimensions.
Z. subrosea, from Sechuen, of which the type is also in my
I
0
of the Loo-choo Islands. 235
collection, appears to me to be absolutely identical with it.
On the other hand, Z. japonica, with its pale chestuut-brown
flanks and sides of breast, and Z. palpebrosa, with its much
yellower-green upper parts, appear to me to be quite
distinct.
It is interesting to know that the Loo-choo species is
identical with that from South China, Hainan, and Formosa,
but differs from both its Japanese and its Philippine-Island
representatives.
PAssER MONTANUS.
Passer saturatus, Stejneger, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1886,
pe Lo:
Mr. Pryer has sent a number of examples of the Loo-choo
Tree Sparrow, which does not differ from the European bird
in any respect.
CARPOPHAGA JOUYI.
Tanthenas jouyi, Stejneger, American Naturalist, 1887,
p. 583.
Mr. Pryer has sent several examples of this fine Pigeon.
Itis nearly allied to C. ianthina, but differs from it in having
the plumage bronzed with green instead of reddish purple
and in having a white collar across the upper mantle.
3
TRERON FORMOSA.
Treron permagna, Stejneger, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1886,
p. 637.
Treron sieboldi, Seebohm, Ibis, 1887, p. 179.
An example sent by Mr. Pryer agrees exactly with females
from Formosa in the Swinhoe collection. Dr. Stejneger is
quite right in supposing that Swinhoe described his species
incorrectly : primary-coverts should read greater wing-coverts,
as he suggests; the only other feathers with pale margins
being the secondaries. There still remains the difference in the
tail. In Pryer’s bird the tail measures 44 inches, and is not
graduated to the extent of inch; Swinhoe’s bird has a tail
47 inches, graduated to the extent of $ inch; whilst Dr. Stej-
neger’s bird has a tail 6 inches long, graduated to the extent
of inch. This looks like individual variation rather than
R2
236 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Arctic
specific or subspecific difference. 7. sororius is more nearly
allied to T. sieboldi, and can scarcely be regarded as more
than subspecifically distinct from it, if, indeed, a large series
of each would not prove them to be absolutely identical.
The nearly terminal black band across the outer tail-feathers
is very obscure in the Japanese form, and nearly obsolete in
the Formosan race.
XXI.—On the Arctic Form of the Nutcracker, Nucifraga
caryocatactes. By Henry SEEBonm.
Many birds the range of which extends across the Palzearctic
Region vary in size, form, or colour in different parts of their
distribution, but the extreme forms being connected in the
intervening districts by intermediate examples, can only be
regarded as subspecifically distinct. The subspecific groups,
being only partially isolated, are consequently only partially
differentiated. The geographical distribution of these sub-
species varies in a rather curious manner, according to the
migratory habits of the birds. If the range of migration
extends beyond the Himalayas, the tendency is to form an
Eastern and a Western race, the individuals comprising the
former breeding in the East Palearctic Region and wintering
in the Oriental or Australian Region; whilst those of the
latter breed in the West Palearctic Region and winter in
the Ethiopian Region or in the basin of the Mediterranean.
The Eastern and Western races of the Curlew, Numenius
arquata and N. arquata lineata; of the Whimbrel, Nu-
menius pheopus and N. pheopus variegatus ; of the Bar-tailed
Godwit, Limosa rufa and L. rufa uropygials; and of the
Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa melanura and L. melanura mela-
nuroides, are excellent examples of this kind of subspecific
form. On the other hand, if the range of migration be very
local, extending longitudinally only to the adjoining valleys
and restricted latitudinally to the Palzearctic Region, a quite
different result is produced. Instead of an Eastern and a
Western form, we find a Northern and a Southern race,
Form of the Nutcracker. 237
the latter presenting the curious anomaly of having an inter-
rupted area of distribution. For this anomaly there is,
however, obvious and sufficient cause. The Northern forms
range from Scandinavia to Kamtschatka, but the range of
the Southern forms is interrupted by the plateau of the Hima-
layas and the desert of Mongolia, half lying in temperate
Europe and the British Islands, and the other half in North
China and Japan. The Northern and the Southern races of
the Nuthatch, Sitta cesia and S. cesia uralensis; of the
Marsh Tit, Parus palustris and P. palustris baicalensis ; of
the Magpie, Pica caudata and P. caudata leucoptera; and of
the Hazel Grouse, Tetrao bonasia and T. bonasia septentrio-
nalis, are examples of the second kind of subspecifie form.
In some of these cases the West European form is not abso-
lutely identical with the North Chinese race, and there are
cases in which the former intergrades with the Siberian race,
whilst the latter is not known to do so, as, for example, the
Great Spotted Woodpecker. Picus major is connected by a
series of intermediate forms with P. major cissa, but the
intermediate forms between the latter and its Chinese re-
presentative P. cabanisi, and its Japanese ally P. japonicus,
have died out or have not yet been discovered. The Northern
and Southern races appear to be climatic, the Siberian forms
of widely distinct genera being uniformly whiter than the
more southern races ; but how the climate affects the colour,
or what peculiarity of the climate is prepotent—the duration
of sunshine, the degree of cold, or the amount of rainfall—
is a mystery. One fact, however, appears to be without ex-
ception: the maximum of whiteness is not reached, as it
apparently ought to be, in the extreme north of Siberia, but
in Kamtschatka, twenty degrees further south. The Kamt-
schatkan forms of the Nuthatch, Sitta albifrons ; of the
Marsh Tit, Parus kamtschatkensis ; of the Bullfinch, Pyrrhula
kamtschatica; and of the Magpie, Pica kamtschatica, have
all been described as distinct, on the ground of their extreme
whiteness
There are many other species of birds which may be re-
garded as residents in the Palearctic Region, and of which
238 Mr. H. Seebohm on the Arctic
Arctic forms are recognized; but one of these, at least, has
been undeservedly neglected.
There can be little doubt that the Nutcrackers of the
Arctic Regions are subspecifically distinct from those of
Western Europe and Japan. The Siberian birds have thicker
bills ; the upper mandible more than projects beyond the
lower; and on an average they have more white on the
outer tail-feathers. The Nutcracker is a typical example of
a gipsy migrant; his winter home is wherever he can find
food. When the crew of the ‘Thames’ wintered on the
Arctic Circle in the valley of the Yenesay, the Nutcracker
was seen every day; but in some winters stray birds, and
occasionally large flocks, wander far and wide—on the one
side to England and the south of France, and on the other to
Manchuria and North China. It consequently happens
that both forms occur in temperate Europe in winter. So
long ago as 1750 the occurrence of two forms of the Nut-
cracker in Europe was recorded (Klein, Histor. Av. Prod.
p. 61) ; one is described as “ rostro valido anguloso,” and
the other as “ rostro teretiusculo.” In 1823 the Nutcracker
fell into the hands of the great German species-maker, C. L.
Brehm, and the two forms became species (Lehrb. eur. Vog.
p- 102), named respectively N. brachyrhynchus and N. ma-
crorhynchus. In 1845 the attention of continental natu-
ralists was again called to this fact (Selys-Longchamps, Bull.
Acad. Bruxelles, xi. p. 298), and in the same year English
ornithologists were advised of this paper and presented with
excellent figures of the two forms (Fischer, Zoologist, 1i1.
p. 1073) ; but in spite of this reiterated information it was
not until 1886 that the subject was properly investigated.
Dr. Rudolf Blasius, in an admirable pamphlet, “ Der
Wanderzug der Tannenheher durch Europa im Herbste
1885 und Winter 1885-86,” records the result of an exami-
nation of 155 skins of the Nutcracker, and arrives at the
conclusion that there is an Eastern and a Western form of
this species, which he names Nucifraga caryocatactes lepto-
rhynchus and N. caryocatactes pachyrhynchus respectively.
The Eastern form is represented as breeding from East
Form of the Nutcracker. 239
Russia to Kamtschatka and Japan, appearing more or less
irregularly in winter in Western and Southern Europe, as is
the wont of gipsy migrants. The Western form isa resident
in various forests of Western Europe, the Alps, Black Forest,
the Carpathians, the Hartz Mountains, northwards to the
Baltic Provinces and Scandinavia south of the Arctic Circle.
Dr. Blasius says that the two forms differ in the height of
the bill (which he measures halfway between the base and
tip), and in the amount of white at the tips of the outer tail-
feathers (which he measures on the inner web). The mea-
surements translated into decimals of an inch are as follows :—
Height of bill. White on tail.
in. in. ay) — pba,
Higsternet Ormiers jee as one 35 to ‘44 1:3 to ‘9
RSSLCIM RS Mats nha. dee ‘47 to ‘GL ‘9 to 6
Whilst I agree with the general result at which Dr. Blasius
has arrived, I differ from him in several important detaiis.
The series which I have examined contains not much more
than half his total number of skins, but of examples from
Asia I have been able to examine more than four times as
many. The length of the bill varies from 1} to 2 inches,
so that it is scarcely fair to measure the height exactly in
the middle. I have therefore taken the height from the
angle of the gonys to the nearest point on the riage of the
upper mandible. My results are as follows :—
Height of bill. White on tail.
inp it. in. in.
Siberian: Chia 5 6. aes woven fle ‘46 to ‘52 1:25 to ‘8
Europe | presumed migrant ........ ‘47 to °5 12 to’8
| presumed resident ........ "O tG-6 ‘95 to ‘75
CUESTE TT), Seti ls Stat alcir eine la race Re ‘5 to 6 1-1 to ‘9
It therefore seems that there is not an Eastern and a
Western form, as there is of the Bar-tailed and Black-tailed
Godwits, but an Arctic and a Temperate form, as there is of
the Hazel Grouse, the Nuthatch, and the Marsh Tit. The
Siberian form appears sometimes to winter in North China,
as well as in Southern and Western Europe, but the Japanese
240 On the Arctic Form of the Nutcracker.
form appears to be a resident, and to be, to all intents and
purposes, identical with the resident form of Europe. The
white spots, both on the upper and underparts, and on the
ends of the tail-feathers, are rather more developed in the
Japanese birds than in the resident European ones, but not
so much so as in examples from Siberia.
This constant multiplication of subspecific forms becomes
rather alarming; but where a difference of form or colour is
correlated with a difference of geographical distribution, it is
impossible for ornithologists to ignore the fact. In future
no monograph of a species can be regarded as complete with-
out a sentence referring to the amount of local variation to
which it is subject.
There are three other Nutcrackers belonging to the genus
Nucifraga, and they all vary nearly as much as their Pale-
arctic ally :—
Height of bill. White on tail.
im. in. in. in.
PV AMTICWLLUSTI VALE areas se neler ‘41 to *5 2-4 to 19
PEP CUUISTIULL + aiekade rs ak eitiote aie ‘49 to 6 30 to 2:2
IN SCOULMBUQNGA cr eee elad ces ‘4 to 48 entirely white.
It is not known that any of these variations have a geo-
graphical significance, and therefore the extreme forms are
not regarded as subspecifically distinct. The subject of the
nomenclature of subspecies is a very difficult one, and it is
not at all impossible that it will hereafter be found that the
pre-Linnean practice of discriminating them by a sentence,
instead of a word, is the only scientific method of dealing
with them.
The introduction of a trinomial nomenclature has been an
inestimable boon to ornithology, preventing subspecies from
being on the one hand erroneously elevated to specific rank,
or on the other hand ignored altogether; but there seems
reason to fear that the use of trinomials is being abused.
Dr. Stejneger, to whom we are greatly indebted for much new
and important information respecting Palzearctic birds, de-
scribed a Nuthatch from Yesso (the north island of Japan)
under the name Sz/ta amurensis clara (Proc. U. States Na-
Birds of the Islands of the Coast of Yucatan. 241
tional Museum, 1886, p. 392). In the first place, Sitta
amurensis is only a subspecific form of S. cesia, with which
it completely intergrades ; and in the second place, Sitta
clara is only one of an infinite number of intermediate forms
between Sitta cesia and Sitta albifrons. All these and other
subspecific forms of Sita cesia have, Dr. Stejneger’s asser-
tion to the contrary notwithstanding, a distinct chestnut patch
on the flanks; and the only difference between examples of
the Nuthatch from Yesso and the valley of the Yenesay is
that the latter, when adult, are without the slight creamy
buff on the flanks. They can only be described as Sitta cesia
albifrons, merely differing from the extreme binomial form
in having the forehead without white, and a slight shade of
buff on the flanks. It seems to me that the only way to
keep trinomials within bounds is to restrict them to the
extreme forms.
XXII.—A List of the Birds of the Islands of the Coast of
Yucatan and of the Bay of Honduras. By Oszert Satvin,
M.A., F.R.S., &e.
Durine the last two years Mr. G. F. Gaumer, a gentleman
weil known for his zoological labours in Northern Yucatan,
at the instigation of Mr. Godman and myself, has made
several short visits to the islands off the coast of Yucatan,
and spent a longer period on the Bay Islands, for the purpose
of collecting, chiefly, the birds of those somewhat remote
places. The islands visited were Meco and Holbox, off the
northern coast of Yucatan, Mugeres Island, on the eastern
coast near Cape Catoche; Cozumel Island, further south ;
and Ruatan Island and Bonacca Island, of the Bay-Island
group, off the northern coast of the Republic of Honduras.
The birds obtained during these expeditions I propose to
enumerate in the following paper, and to give at the end a
summary bearing on the distribution of the birds of this
portion of the American fauna.
It will be seen from what follows that a large number of
species mentioned belong to the migratory birds which pass
242 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
and repass in spring and autumn between North America
and their winter-quarters ; and it is evident, from their num-
bers, that this line of coast, stretching, as much of it does,
north and south, forms one of the lines of migration of such
birds, and that the islands serve as so many resting-places
in their journey. This part of the subject I propose to treat
in more detail at the end of this paper, and also to examine
the more difficult question involved in the relationship of the
resident birds to those of the mainland and the Antilles.
Mr. Gaumer has now returned to his old quarters in
Yucatan, where we hope that he will still find time to carry
on the investigations he has hitherto pursued so successfully.
Of the islands visited, Cozumel alone had _ previously
been examined, and the following papers refer to its bird-
fauna:
1. Description of some new Species of Birds from Co-
zumel Island, Yucatan. By Robert Ridgway. “ Author’s
edition.” Extracted from the Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington,
iii., and distributed by Mr. Ridgway, 2nd March, 1885.
2. On a Collection of Birds from the Island of Cozumel.
By Osbert Salvin. Ibis, April, 1885, pp. 185 e¢ seqq.
3. Catalogue of a Collection of Birds made on the Island
of Cozumel, Yucatan, by the Naturalists of the U.S. Fisk-
Commission Steamer ‘ Albatross,’ Capt. Z. L. Tanner, Com-
mander. By Robert Ridgway. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
pp. 560 ef seg. (Sept. & Oct. 1885).
As the first of these papers only contains short preliminary
descriptions, which are all given at greater length in the
third, I have not thought it necessary to quote it; but to
make the present paper complete as far as it goes, tne others
are referred to where required.
/ + 1. TuRDUS MUSTELINUS.
Turdus mustelinus, Gm.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
PAM. AVES, a. Ds 9.
Mugeres I.; Cozumel I.
A migratory species from the north, and common in Co-
zumel Island. It has not been noticed in Northern Yucatan,
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 243
but it occurs in Cuba, though rarely. It is abundant in
the winter months in Southern Mexico and Kastern Gua-
temala, the southern limit of its range being Northern
Honduras.
V2. TURDUS FUSCESCENS.
Turdus fuscescens, Steph.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
AVE ia) 10 s.Saly. bis, 1885, p:, 196.
Cozumel I.; Ruatan I.; Bonacca I. (September).
A migrant from the north, which has been recorded from
Panama, but not elsewhere in Central America, though in
South America it has been observed in Guiana and the
Amazons yalley, and in Matto Grosso. In Cuba it 1s
common.
Re 3. TURDUS ALICIZ.
Turdus alicia, Baird; Salvy. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Eves ile) oaly. Ubis, 1885, p. 197:
Cozumel I.; Ruatan I.
A migrant from the north, which has, as yet, only been
noticed in Central America in Costa Rica and the State of
Panama, though in South America it spreads from Guiana
in the east to Peru and Colombia in the west. It has been
observed in Cuba and San Domingo.
+- 4, TurpUus GRAYI.
Turdus grayi, Bp.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves,
i. p. 18.
Meco I.; Mugeres I.; Cozumel I.
All these specimens are paler than the typical form from
Guatemala, but in this respect agree fairly with examples
from Northern Yucatan, and the passage between the two
seems to be complete. The Mugeres Island bird is a trifle
darker than that from Cozumel Island.
T. grayi is very common throughout Southern Mexico
and Central America.
4. 5. GALEOSCOPTES CAROLINENSIS.
Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol.
244, Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 26; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
vill. p. 562.
Meco I.; Holbox I.; Mugeres I.; Cozumel I; Ruatan I.
A common migratory species from the north, being found
in winter in Easterm Mexico and Eastern Central America.
It is hardly known to occur on the mountain-slopes towards
the Pacific, and but some few wander as far as Panama.
In these islands it appears to be very abundant, as well as
on the adjoining mainland and in Cuba.
6. MELANOPTILA GLABRIROSTRIS.
Melanoptila glabrirostris, Scl.; Salv. & Godm. Biol.
Centr.-Am., Aves, 1. p. 27; Boucard, P. Z. 8. 18838, p. 439 ;
Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vi. p. 562.
Holbox I.; Mugeres I.; Cozumel I.; Lighthouse and
Glover’s Reefs (May).
Mr. Gaumer has sent us a large series of this interesting
bird, which appears to be very common on the island of Cozu-
mel, and is probably found on most of the islands of this part
of the coast, as well as on the mainland. Mr. Ridgway, in
his table of distribution of Cozumel birds, states that
M. glabrirostris had not then been recorded from Yucatan,
but he has overlooked the statement in M. Boucard’s list of
its occurrence there.
7. HARPORHYNCHUS GUTTATUS.
Harporhynchus guttatus, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vii.
p. 561.
Harporhynchus melanostoma, Salv. Ibis, 1885, p. 167.
Cozumel I.
Mr. Gaumer has sent us a good series of specimens of this
species, all bearing the characters whereby it may be dis-
tinguished from H. longirosiris. There is some variation in
the density of the spots on the under surface, but otherwise
there is great uniformity in their plumage between specimens
of the series.
8. Mimus GiLvus.
Mimus gilvus (Vieill.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 36.
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 245
Mimus gilvus gracilis, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
p. 562.
Meco I.; Holbox I.; Mugeres I. ; Cozumel I.
These island specimens do not materially differ from those
from the mainland, the species being rather variable.
| 9. TRoGLopYTES BEANI.
Troglodytes beani, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
p. 563.
Cozumel I.
Many examples of this distinct species. Some of these
have the jugulum tinged with brown, as described by Mr.
Ridgway, but in the majority the underside is nearly uni-
form white, the flanks and crissum alone being brown, and
the latter barred with black.
~+. 10. PoLiopriLa C#SIOGASTER ?
Polioptila cerulea cesiogaster*, Ridgw. Man. N. Am.
Birds, p. 569 ?
Cozumel I.; Ruatan I.
Mr. Ridgway has recently described a bird from the Ba-
hamas under the above name, adding to his localities Cozumel,
with doubt. As he has birds from both localities before
him, and I only the Cozumel one, I cannot speak positively
as to their specific identity. The Cozumel bird has a darker
greyer breast than the true P. cerulea, and in most cases the
bill is wholly black. The latter character I take to be a
seasonal one. In Northern Yucatan the true P. cerulea
occurs.
Mr. Ridgway (Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii. p. 561) includes
P. ceruea in his list of Cozumel birds without further
remark. We have some specimens from Mr. Gaumer’s
collection made in January that agree well with typical
P. cerulea, but I am not sure that they are not winter-
plumaged birds of the resident species.
Concerning Poliopti/a much has been written of late years, )
but I doubt if the right clue to the reason of the many com-
plicated points of variation exhibited by many of the species
has yet been discovered.
* Vox hybrida!
246 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
+ 11. PotiorrtLa BILINEATA.
Polioptila bilineata, Bp.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 52.
Cozumel I.
Mr. Gaumer’s collection contains two male specimens of
this Polioptila. They are whiter beneath than the majority
of our examples from other parts of Central America, but
not more so than we find in birds from Western Ecuador.
The white lores are very conspicuous, and are extended so as
almost to form a white band across the base of the bill.
12. MNIOTILTA VARIA.
Mniotilta varia (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 110; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vii. p. 563.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozu-
mel I. (January, April) ; Ruatan I.
This species reaches Colombia and Venezuela in its southern
migration, being very common through the winter months in
Mexico and Central America generally. It is also found in
Cuba and other islands of the Antilles, as well as in Northern
Yucatan.
“13. ProTroNoraRIA CITREA.
Protonotaria citrea (Bodd.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 111.
Cozumel I. (January) ; Ruatan I.
This species has occurred on the mainland of Northern
Yucatan, but not further to the westward. Itis known from
Western Costa Rica, Panama, and the north coast of South
America and is found in Cuba.
The Ruatan bird is an adult male, those from Cozumel
females.
“14. He~MinTHorHeRvUs VERMIVORUS.
Helminthotherus vermivorus (Gm.); Salv. & Godm. Biol.
Centr.-Am., Aves, 1. p. 112.
Cozumel I.; Bonacca I. (September).
A migratory species, well known and common in winter
in Southern Mexico and Central America, and also found
in Cuba and Jamaica.
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 247
4
3d. He~MINTHOPHAGA PEREGRINA.
Helminthophaga peregrina (Wils.) ; Salv. & Godm., Biol.
Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 117.
Cozumel I. (January) ; Ruatan I.; Bonacca I. (Sep-
tember).
A migratory species, specially abundant in the highlands
of Guatemala in winter. It is hardly known in Cuba, but
reaches Northern Colombia in its winter migration.
NG. PARULA AMERICANA.
Parula americana (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Ame Aves; 1p. 119.
Compsothlypis americana, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
vill. p. 563.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozumel
I. (January and April) ; Ruatan I. ; Bonacca I. (September).
A common migratory species in Southern Mexico and
Eastern Guatemala, being also found in Cuba and several of
the more northern islands of the Antilles.
17. DenpRe@cA &sTIVA.
Dendreca estiva (Gm.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 124.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Ru-
atan I.
Many specimens in all stages of plumage, the birds from
Ruatan Island being perhaps the more heavily spotted
beneath.
In Ruatan Island this appears to be the only species of
this section of Dendreca, In the adjoining island of Bonacca
we find D. bryanti, to the exclusion of D. e@stiva.
— 18. Denpr@ca PETECHIA.
Dendreca petechia rufivertex, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
vill. pp. 348, 563.
Cozumel I. (January, April).
Many specimens in various stages of plumage.
We do not possess a good series of the Jamaica bird, the
true D. petechia, but, so far as I can see, there is nothing to
248 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
separate the Cozumel and Jamaica birds; the former 1s,
perhaps, on an average a little smaller.
D. petechia is found in Cozumel Island, to the exclusion
of D. bryanti and the migratory D. estiva.
19. DenDR@CA BRYANTI,
Dendreca vieilloti, var. bryanti, Ridgw. Am. Nat. vii.
p. 606.
Dendreca bryanti, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vii.
p. 350.
Holbox I. (December) ; Bonacca I. (September).
These birds, of which I have a large series of examples
before me in all stages of plumage, no doubt belong to Mr.
Ridgway’s D. bryanti, which I trace certainly to Western
Costa Rica. The birds from Panama and Northern Co-
lombia before me, which I take to be the true D. viedlloti,
have the chestnut throat less sharply defined and blended
with the streaks of the breast. D. bryanti is apparently the
only Dendreca of this group found on Bonacca Island, but
on Holbox D. estiva is found along with it.
It seems to be quite exceptional to find more than one
species of this group of Dendra@ca on any one island, and at
present Holbox Island is the only one with two. The same
rule applies to the West-Indian Islands, where D. estiva is,
I believe, unknown, even as a migrant.
“20. DENDR@CA CHRULESCENS.
Dendreca cerulescens (Gm.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 126; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
p. 564.
Cozumel I. (January).
An adult specimen of each sex.
The species is unknown in Mexico, and very rare in Gua-
temala, but is found in several of the West-Indian Islands.
V21. Denpra@ca CORONATA.
Dendreca coronata (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 127.
Meco I. (December) ; Holbox I. (December) ; Cozumel I.
(January); Ruatan I.
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 249
Many specimens, all in winter or immature plumage,
several being birds of the year.
D. coronata reaches the State of Panama in its southern
migration, being very abundant during the winter months
throughout Mexico and Central America. It is also found
in several of the West-Indian Islands.
22. Denpraca MACULOSA.
Dendreca maculosa (Gm.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 129; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
p. 564.
Cozumel I. (January) ; Ruatan I.
A bird of the eastern parts of North America, but occur-
ring in Kastern Mexico and Guatemala in winter and as
far south as the State of Panama; also in Cuba and the
Bahama Isles.
Several of the Ruatan examples are in full spring plumage.
23. DrenpR@CA PENNSYLVANICA.
Dendreca pennsylvanica (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol.
Centr.-Am., Aves, 1. p. 131.
Ruatan I.; Bonacca I. (September).
Specimens in all states of plumage.
A bird of the Eastern States, migrating southwards to the
State of Panama. It has been noticed in the Bahama Islands,
but not in any of the larger Antilles.
24. DENDR@CA CASTANEA.
Dendreeca castanea (Wils.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol, Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 182.
Ruatan I.
A bird of very rare occurrence in Mexico and Guatemala,
but more common in the State of Panama. Not recorded
from any of the West-Indian Islands.
25. DENDR@CA BLACKBURNIZ.
Dendreca blackburnie (Gm.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Ani. Aves, 1p. 133.
Ruatan I.; Bonacca I.
One of the most widely ranging of the migratory Mnio-
SER. V.—VOL. VI. s
250 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
Itidee, extending in winter to Peru, but to the Bahamas only
of the West-Indian Islands.
— 26. DENDR@CA DOMINICA.
Dendreca dominica (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 154.
Dendreca dominica albilora, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
vill. p. 564.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozumel
I. (April) ; Ruatan I.; Bonacca I. (September).
Hardly any of the specimens from these islands have the lores
pure white, a certain amount of yellow being visible in nearly
all of them. Nor can I discover any differences of dimen-
sions by which they can be distinguished from Jamaican
examples, the true D. dominica (Linn.). In fact, I quite fail
to appreciate D. albilora even as a race.
(27. DENDR@CA VIRENS.
Dendreca virens (Gm.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 187; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vi. p. 564.
Holbox I.; Cozumel I.
Specimens in all stages of plumage.
A widely spread migratory species, very common in Gua-
temala in the winter months, and spreading as far as the
State of Panama. It also occurs in Cuba, Jamaica, and
Dominica.
“— 28. Denpraca pIscoror.
Dendreca discolor (Vieill.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 142; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
p- 564.
Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozumel I. (January, Benedict) ;
Bonacca I. (September).
This species, a winter visitor to the West-Indian Islands,
is now known from several islands off the coast of the main-
land. As I have already remarked, it can hardly fail to be
found on the north coast of Honduras and the North-eastern
portion of Yucatan.
The specimen from Mugeres Island is in adult plumage.
Two from Bonacca are young.
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 251
hoa DENDR@CA PALMARUM.
Dendreca palmarum (Gm.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus.
x. p. 317; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii. p. 564.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozu-
mel I. (January) ; Ruatan I.
Several specimens in various states of plumage.
One of those from Cozumel has the under plumage strongly
tinged with yellow, somewhat as in the race D. p. hypochrysea.
The rest conformed to the more typical D. palmarum. The
species has not yet been noticed on the mainland, but
is common in several of the West-Indian Islands in the
winter season.
/— 30. Purissociossa TIGRINA.
Perissoglossa tigrina (Gm.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus.
X. p. 380.
Ruatan I.
Mr. Gaumer obtained a single specimen of this species
in immature plumage. We also have, through M. Bou-
card’s kindness, another from the north coast of Yucatan
(Gaumer), so that the species must now be included amongst
the migratory visitors to Central America. Its recognized
winter domicile has hitherto been the West-Indian Islands.
“31. SrURUS AURICAPILLUS.
Siurus auricapillus (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 144; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
p. 564.
Meco I. (November) ; Holbox I. (December) ; Cozumel I.
(January) ; Ruatan I.; Bonacca I. (September).
Found in winter throughout Mexico, Central America, and
many of the West-Indian Islands and Bermuda.
¥32. SIURUS MOTACILLA.
Siurus motacilla (Vieill.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 147.
Ruatan I.; Bonacca I. (September).
Generally distributed throughout Mexico and Central
America in the winter season, being also found in several of
the West-Indian Islands.
s2
252 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
“33. SruruS NOVEBORACENSIS.
Siurus noveboracensis (Gm.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 145.
Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus. viii. p. 564.
Holbox I. (December) ; Cozumel I. (January) ; Ruatan I. ;
Bonacca I. (September).
A very abundant species in winter throughout Mexico and
Central America, the West Indies, and northern portions of
South America.
34 OPporRoRNIS FORMOSA.
Oporornis formosa (Wils.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 148.
Bonacca I. (September).
A single specimen in fully adult plumage.
A winter visitor to Mexico and Central America, and also
found in Cuba,
© 85. GEOTHLYPIS TRICHAS.
Geothlypis trichas (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
AM Aves, 1.4p. 10,
Geothlypis trichas occidentalis, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.
vill. p. 564.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozu-
mel J. (January) ; Ruatan I.
Many specimens in all stages of plumage.
Mr. Ridgway states that the Cozumel bird is of the western
race of G. trichas. We have only a female from that island,
but all the adults from the other islands mentioned above
seem to belong to the eastern form.
G. trichas is very common all through Mexico and Central
America in winter, and is also found in many of the West-
Indian Islands.
36. IcTERIA VIRIDIS.
Icteria viridis (Gm.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 157.
Cozumel I, (January, April).
Two of these specimens have the bill almost as black as
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 253
northern examples, a character not seen in birds from
Guatemala,
The species occurs commonly in Mexico and Guatemala,
but more rarely further south, and has not been noticed in
the West-Indian Islands.
437, MytropioctEs MITRATUS.
Myiodioctes mitratus (Gm.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol; Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 167.
Sylvania mitrata, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat, Mus, viii.
p. 564.
Holbox I. (December); Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozu-
mel I. (January) ; Ruatan I.; Bonacca I. (September).
Also a common winter visitor to Mexico and the whole
of Central America, and found in Cuba and Jamaica,
38. SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA.
Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 178; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
p. 564.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozu-
mel I. (January, May) ; Ruatan I.
Abundant throughout Mexico, Central America, the West-
Indian Islands, and Northern South America in winter.
39. VIREO CALIDRIS.
Vireo catidris (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 186.
Cozumel I. (May).
A single specimen of this West-Indian Vireo, whose winter
migration extends to the northern parts of South America.
if
‘+ 40, Virgo oxivacets.
Vireo olivaceus (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 188.
Ruatan I.; Bonacca I. (September).
A migrant from the north, of very rare occurrence in
Mexico and Cuba, but more common in Guatemala, and
thence southwards to Colombia.
254: Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
--. 4]. ViREO MAGISTER.
Vireo magister, Baird; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p: 191.
Vireo cinereus, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii. p. 565.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Ruatan
I.; Bonacca I. (September).
We have now a large series of specimens of this species.
These show a considerable amount of variation, due, we
believe, wholly to the age of the plumage of different indi-
viduals. These variations, as shown by birds from Cozumel
Island alone, cover all the differences said to exist between
V. cinereus and V. magister, and we do not see how the
former can be maintained as distinct.
-- 42. VIREO PHILADELPHICUS.
Vireo philadelphicus (Cassin) ; Salvy. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Adie AVES tp; Lol:
Cozumel I. (January).
A common winter visitor to Guatemala, and thence south-
wards to Panama. It is not known from any of the West-
Indian Islands.
* 43, VIREO FLAVIFRONS.
Vireo flavifrons, Vieill.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 194; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vii. p. 565.
Cozumel I. (January, April).
A common winter visitor to Mexico and Central America,
and also found at that season in Cuba and Colombia.
+ 44. VIREO BAIRDI.
Vireo bairdi, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii. p. 565.
Cozumel I. (January, April).
Many specimens of this pretty and very distinct species.
45. VIREO NOVEBORACENSIS.
Vireo noveboracensis (Gm.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 200; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii.
p. 565.
Cozumel I (January, April).
Apparently a common species on Cozumel Island during
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 255
the winter months. The species is very rare in Guatemala,
but more common in Southern Mexico.
~~ 46. VIREO OCHRACEUS.
Vireo ochraceus, Salv.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 201.
Holbox I. (December); Mugeres I. (December) ; Rua-
tan I.
Many specimens, covering the variation between V. ochra-
ceus and V. semiflavus. This species is widely, but sparingly,
distributed in Yucatan and Guatemala,
Its absence from Cozumel Island is noteworthy ; perhaps
V. bairdi there takes its place.
~~ 47, CYCLORHIS FLAVIVENTRIS.
Cyclorhis flaviventris, Lafr.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 211.
Meco I. (November).
These specimens agree with others from Northern Yucatan,
the C. f. yucatanensis, Ridgw. (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1886,
p- 519), a race we are not yet prepared to separate from
C. flaviventris.
+48. CycLORHIS INSULARIS.
Cyclorhis insularis, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vii.
p. 566.
Cozumel I. (January, April).
A very distinct species, fully described by Mr. Ridgway.
“+ 49. AMPELIS CEDRORUM.
Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am, Aves, 1. p. 215.
Cozumel I. (May).
Several specimens of this migratory species, which reaches
Honduras in its southern migration, and visits the islands of
Cuba and Jamaica.
+ 50. Progne PURPUREA.
Progne purpurea (Linn.) ; Saiv, & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 223.
Cozumel I. (May).
256 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
Several young males and females of this species, which has
already been recorded from Belize.
4-51. PrTROCHELIDON PYRRHONOTA.
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Vieill.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol.
Centr.-Am., Aves, 1. p. 226.
Cozumel I.
A single specimen. ‘The migrations of this species are not
well known, for though it breeds in Western Mexico, its
passage southwards has been very imperfectly traced. We
have no previous record of it anywhere on this coast or in
Guatemala.
52. Hirunbo ERYTHROGASTER X SWAINSONI.
A single specimen, shot in May 1885 by Mr. Gaumer on
Cozumel Island, we have little doubt is a hybrid between
Hirundo erythrogaster and Petrochelidon swainsoni, as it
curiously combines the characters of both birds. The fore-
head is the same in both species, but the ear-coverts and the
collar are steel-blue, as in H. erythrogaster ; the tail is also
fureate, though to a less extent, and the lateral feathers have
the characteristic white spots; the wings, too, are as long as
those of H. erythrogaster, and the under tail-coverts are tinged
with rufous. The characters it has with P. swainsoni are
the colouring of the under surface, including the black gular
patch ; it also has the rump rufous grey.
Instances of hybrids between H. erythrogaster and P. pyr- |
rhonota have been recorded, but this is the first we have met
with in which P. swainsoni appears to have been one of the
parents.
Vv +58. Hrrunpo ERYTHROGASTER.
Hirundo erythrogaster, Bodd.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 232.
Cozumel I. (April) ; Ruatan I.
Abundant in winter or during passage throughout Mexico,
Central America, and the greater part of South America, as
well as the West-Indian Islands.
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 257
+654, TAcHYCINETA ALBILINEA,
Tachycineta albilinea (Lawr.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 235.
Meco I. (November) ; Holbox I. (December).
Already recorded from the islands off this coast, where it
is doubtless a resident species.
+55. CorTILe RIPARIA.
Cotile riparia (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 240.
Cozumel I. (May).
A single specimen of this widely ranging species. It has
been recorded from a little further south at Yzabal, in
Guatemala, and from South America.
“56, CaREBA CYANEA.
Cereba cyanea (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 248.
Cozumel I. (January, April).
Several immature males and females. The species is com-
mon on the mainland, and occurs in Cuba.
~ 57. CERTHIOLA CABOTI.
Certhiola caboti, Baird; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 251; Salv. Ibis, 1885, p.189; Ridgw. Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus. viii. p. 564.
Holbox I. (December) ; Cozumel I. (January, April).
Many specimens of both sexes. The Holbox Island birds
are both females, and agree with typical females from Cozu-
mel Island.
—58. EvupHonta AFFINIS.
Euphonia affinis (Less.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
AVES. D. 207.
Cozumet J. (January).
A pair of this species, agreeing with examples from’
Northern Yucatan and British Honduras, which are rather
smaller than the birds of Nicaragua (typical), Guatemala,
and Mexico, and the male of slightly deeper purple on the
back.
258 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
v 59. PyRANGA RUBRA.
Pyranga rubra (linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 287.
Cozumel I. (April) ; Ruatan I. ; Bonacca I. (September).
A migratory species, common in Northern Yucatan, but
rare in the interior of Guatemala; more abundant again
from Nicaragua to the State of Panama, and extending its
migration as far south as Bolivia. It also occurs in Cuba
and Jamaica.
¥ 60. PyRANGA STIVA.
Pyranga estiva (Gm.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1, p. 289.
Cozumel I. (January, April) ; Ruatan I.
A common migratory species throughout the greater part
of Mexico, the whole of Central America, and of Eastern
Southern America as far as Peru. It also occurs during
passage in Cuba and the Bahamas.
61. PyRANGA ROSEIGULARIS.
Pyranga roseigularis, Cabot ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 293; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1885,
p- 568.
Meco I. (November) ; Mugeres l. (December) ; Cozumel I.
(January, April).
These island specimens do not differ materially from those
from the mainland of Northern Yucatan ; but we notice that,
as a rule, the red of the throat is more restricted, and that
the rosy colour is hardly traceable on the abdomen and
back. The Meco Island bird is somewhat intermediate,
being nearer that from the mamland. That from Mugeres
Island agrees with the Cozumel bird. In the island of
Cozumel P. roseigularis appears to be common, so that this
bird, once so rare, is now represented in our collection by a
good series.
62, SPINDALIS BENEDICTI.
Spindalis benedicti, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vin.
p- 567. .
Spindalis exsul, Salv. Ibis, 1885, p. 189, pl. 5.
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 259
Cozumel I. (January, April).
Mr. Gaumer has sent us a good series of both sexes of this
pretty species, which at present has only been found on the
-island of Cozumel. ‘There is a good deal of variation in the
amount of white on the wing in both sexes.
63. PHa@NICOTHRAUPIS INSULARIS, Sp. 0.
Supra griseo-rubescens, alis et cauda fuscescentioribus, illis
olivaceo vix limbatis, crista verticali ruberrima nigro haud
marginata ; subtus pallide rubra, gutture clariore, pectore
et hypochondris griseo tinctis; rostro corneo, pedibus
corylinis. Long. tota 7:8, ale 40, caude 3:6, rostri a
rictu 0°85, tarsi 1-0. 2 supra cinnamomeo-brunnea fere
unicolor, subtus sordide cinnamomea, gula et abdomine
medio cervinis.
Hab. Meco I. (November) ; Mugeres I. (December)
(G. F. Gaumer).
Obs. P. salvint proxima, sed colore maris supra multo
pallidiore et magis griseo, subtus valdeé dilutiore facile dis-
tinguenda. Femina quoque coloribus multo pallidioribus
differt.
Mr. Gaumer’s collection contains a male and two females
from Meco Island, and several females from Mugeres Island.
These differ so obviously from mainland specimens of P. sal-
vint that it becomes necessary to separate them under
another name. The male is paler than the males of any
other species of the genus.
On the mainland the true P. salvini occurs, both in
Northern Yucatan and in British Honduras, and though the
males from the former country are rather pale, the difference
is very slight.
— 64, EUCoMETIS SPODOCEPHALA.
Eucometis spodocephala (Bp.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am, Aves; 1. p. 307, pl. 20. fig. 2.
Meco I.
Already noticed in Northern Yucatan and in British
Honduras.
260 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
65. HEDYMELES LUDOVICIANUS.
Hedymeles ludovicianus (Linn.); Salv.& Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 336.
Holbox I.; Cozumel I.; Ruatan I.
A common migratory species, well known in Mexico and
Central America, and in South America as far south as
Ecuador. It also occurs in Cuba and Jamaica.
66. CARDINALIS COCCINEUS.
Cardinalis saturatus, Ridgw. Descr. New Cozumel Birds,
p. 4.
Cardinalis cardinalis saturatus, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus. viii. p. 568.
Cardinalis virginianus, var. coccineus, Ridgw. Am. Journ.
NC. Veupe ooe
Cardinalis virginianus, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 340.
Meco I. (November) ; Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I.
(December) ; Cozumel I. (January, April).
We have now a large series of Cardinal Grosbeaks from
these islands, besides several from the opposite mainland,
and we altogether fail to see how they can be separated into
the races proposed by Mr. Ridgway, viz. C. v. coccineus,
C. v. yucatanicus, and C. v. saturatus (Man. N. Am. Birds,
p. 442). The females appear to be always separable from
those of the true C. virginianus by their blackish faces ; and
chiefly on this ground we admit the distinctness of C. coc-
cineus, a name based upon South-Mexican birds. | Mr. Ridg-
way makes some remarks on the supposed migrations of this
bird in Mexico with reference to our quotation of Sumichrast
on the subject. Our statement was made on the authority
of that excellent observer, as we have never seen Cardinalis
in a wild state.
Is it not just possible that a bird so sedentary as
Mr. Ridgway says Cardinalis is in the United States may
be migratory in other parts of its range? Otherwise Sumi-
chrast has led us astray.
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 261
~— 67. GuIRAcA CERULEA.
Guiraca cerulea (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 344.
Cozumel J.
A common migratory species, well known throughout
Mexico and Central America as far south as Costa Rica. It
is also found in Cuba, though rarely, during passage.
— 68. GUIRACA PARELLINA.
Guiraca parellina (Bp.) ; Salv, & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 347,
Meco I.; Mugeres I.
Already noticed from the adjoining coast of Yucatan.
— 69. SpERMOPHILA MORELETI.
Spermophila moreleti, Bp.; Salv. & Godm, Biol. Centr.-
Ms, 1..p. S02.
Meco I.; Mugeres I.
Immature birds of this species, which has already been
noticed on the mainland of Yucatan,
—70. PHONIPARA INTERMEDIA.
Phoniparia olivacea intermedia, Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus. viii. p, 568.
Phonipara intermedia, Saly. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
mves, 1. p. o00.
Holbox I. ; Cozumel I.
Many specimens, those from Holbox Island agreeing with
typical Cozumel specimens.
—71. CYANOSPIZA CYANEA.
Cyanospiza cyanea (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 364.
Passerina cyanea, Ridgw. Proc. U.S, Nat. Mus. viii.
p. 568.
Cozumel I. ; Ruatan I.
Many specimens in all stages of plumage. A common
migratory species throughout Eastern Mexico and the whole
of Central America to the State of Panama, and also occur-
ring in Cuba and at the Bahamas.
262 Mr. O. Salvin on the Birds of the
‘—72, CYANOSPIZA CIRIS.
Cyanospiza ciris (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 365.
Meco I.; HolboxI.; Mugeres I.; Cozumel I.; Ruatan I.
Apparently a very common bird during its migration on
this coast, as well as on the mainland from Mexico to the
State of Panama. It also occurs in Cuba and the Bahamas.
The series sent includes birds in all stages of plumage. _
73. SPIZELLA PINETORUM.
Spizella pinetorum, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., Aves,
Pe PoeS, Pla el. bio.
Ruatan I.
The wings and tail of this specimen are rather shorter
than in the type from the mainland, but otherwise it does
not differ. The bill is, however, nearly black, a charac-
teristic of breeding-dress.
—74, PassERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS.
Passerculus sandwichensis (Gm.); Salv. & Godm. Biol.
Centr.-Am., Aves, i. p. 380.
Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozu-
mel I. (January).
Several specimens, agreeing with others from the mainland
of Guatemala.
/ 75, CorurNICULUS PASSERINUS.
Coturniculus passerinus (Wils.) ; Salv.& Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 384; Salv. Ibis, 1885, p. 190.
Coturniculus savannarum passerinus, Ridgw. Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus. 1885, p. 568.
Cozumel I. (January).
A species of wide range in Mexico and Central America
as far south as Costa Rica, occurring also in the larger
Antilles.
76. EMBERNAGRA VERTICALIS.
Embernagra verticalis, Ridgw.; Salv.& Godm., Biol. Centr.-
Am,, Aves, 1. p. 414.
Meco I. (November).
Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c. 263
Two specimens, one of which agrees with £. verticalis
from the mainland, the other seems closer to EH. chloronota !
This seems to raise the question as to the relationship of
these birds, and to suggest that there may be differences of
sex not hitherto suspected.
77. SPIZA AMERICANA.
Spiza americana (Gm.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 416.
Cczumel I.; Ruatan I.
Apparently a very common bird on these islands, probably
during migration. Jn its southern range it reaches Colombia
and Venezuela, but is not known in the Antilles.
—78. CHRYSOMITRIS MEXICANA.
Chrysomitris mexicana (Sw.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 431.
Mugeres I.
An adult male and a female of this species.
v 79. DoticHonyXx ORYZIVORA.
Dolichonyz oryzivora (Linn.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 448; Salv. Ibis, 1885, p. 191.
Cozumel I. (April).
It is the eastern typical bird which occurs on the islands of
this coast. Its southern migration extends to Paraguay, «nd
includes several of the West-Indian Islands.
—— 80. AGELEUS PH@NICEUS.
Ageleus pheniceus (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 453.
Cozumel I. (May).
A common resident species in suitable places in Mexico
and Guatemala, its range extending southwards to Western
Costa Rica.
fe 31. IcTERUS SPURIUS.
Icterus spurius (Linn.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 464.
Holbox I. (December) ; Cozumel I. (April) ; Ruatan I.
Many specimens, including adult birds of both sexes. The
-
264 Birds of the Islands of the Coast of Yucatan, &c.
species is widely distributed in winter over the whole of
Mexico and Central America to the Isthmus of Darien, and >
occurs sparingly in Cuba.
—82. IcTERUS GIRAUDI.
Icterus giraudi, Cass.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 469.
Meco I. (November) ; Ruatan I.
This species does not appear to occur in the Island of
Cozumel, but Mr. Gaumer has sent us specimens from Tu-
loom, on the mainland immediately opposite.
I. giraudi spreads southwards to Colombia and Venezuela.
83. IcrERUS CUCULLATUS.
Icterus cucullatus, Sw.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, i. p. 471; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii. p. 570.
Meco I. (November) ; Holbox I. (December) ; Mugeres I.
(December) ; Cozumel I. (May, June).
Many examples, the males showing every stage of plumage
from the blood-stained tint, the J. c. igneus of Ridgway, to
the ordinary yellow type of S. cucullatus.
British Honduras seems to be the extreme southern limit
of the range of this bird. It has been recorded from Cuba.
—84, IcTERUS AURATUS.
Icterus auratus, Bp.; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr,-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 473.
Meco I. (November).
Two specimens, one of them an adult male, which has a
little more black on the forehead than J. auratus from the
mainland; but as it has the characteristic yellow back, I
place it here.
85. IcTeRUS GULARIS.
Icterus gularis (Wagl.) ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 475.
Cozumel I. (January, May).
Many examples agreeing with mainland birds.
On Birds from Newala, East Africa. 265
+ 86. QUISCALUS MACRURUS.
Quiscalus macrurus, Sw. ; Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am.,
Aves, 1. p. 482; Ridgw. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. viii. p. 570.
Mugeres I. (December) ; Cozumel I. (April) ; Ruatan I.
Many examples. The females are rather darker, and the
males somewhat smaller, than mainland examples.
Mr. Gaumer informs us that Q. macrurus, though very
common on Ruatan Island, is not found on the neigh-
bouring island of Bonacca.
+87. CYANOLYCA YUCATANICA.
Cyanolyca yucatanica (Dubois) ; Salv.&Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, i. p. 498, pl. 35.
Meco I. (November) ; Mugeres I. (December).
A species peculiar to Yucatan and the adjoining portions
of British Honduras.
+88, XANTHURA LUXUOSA.,
Xanthura luxuosa (Less.); Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-
Am., Aves, 1. p. 502.
Cozumel I. (January).
Two specimens with the abdomen clear yellow, as in the
bird of the opposite mainland.
[ To be continued. }
XXIII.—Notes on a small Collection of Birds from Newala,
East Africa. By H. B. Tristram, D.D., F.R.S.
I Have just received a small collection of skins, made last
year by the Rev. Spencer Weigall, B.A., of the Universities’
Mission to Central Africa, at Newala, a station between the
coast and Lake Nyassa, lat. 11° S., 15 miles north of the
Rovuma River.
Though the collection contains nothing new, yet it throws
some light on the distribution of South-African birds, and
this fact must be my apology for asking to occupy a few lines
or * The This.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. T
266 On Birds from Newala, East Africa.
Fatco ELEONORaZ, Gené.
Mr. Weigall states that this is the common small Hawk of
the district. The specimen is adult.
SprzaETus coronatus (L.).
The adult specimen sent is the only one Mr. Weigall ever
saw in the country, and it was quite unknown to the natives.
Hetorarsus ecaupatus (Daud.).
This is the commonest Eagle in the country. Mr. Weigall
sends home both the ordinary type and the light-backed
variety named by Riippell H. leuconotns. It is evident that
the lighter-backed one is only an older bird or in faded
plumage, and it is impossible to separate the two.
The Passerine birds sent are, for the most part, of the
ordinary Zanzibar species, as Oriolus larvatus, Tchitrea per-
spicillata; but I was surprised to find Batis pririt (V.), the
western form, and not B. molitor, which we should naturally
expect to occur west of Lake Nyassa. Pyromelena flam-
miceps (Swains.) also seems to take the place of P. oryz.
There is a fine specimen of Coracias spatulata, Trimen, the
common Roller of the district, and most distinct, in its
coloration as well as in the form of its rectrices, from C. cau-
data. Kurystomus afer (Lath.) is also common. The
Cuckoos sent are Zanclostomus aéneus (Vieill.), and Coccystes
jacobinus. Plectropterus gambensis, L., is common, but my
friend never saw but one specimen of Chenalopexr egyptiacus,
which was obtained on the Rovuma River, and the bird was
quite unknown to the natives. Soalso was Tantalus ibis (L.),
of which one solitary specimen, shot on the banks of the
Rovuma, and the only one seen, was sent. The upper
waters of the Shire River appear to be the headquarters of
the rare Parra capensis, Smith, which Mr. Weigall states he
saw there in great numbers, but which he never noticed on
the Rovuma.
Recently published Ornithological Works. 267
XXIV.—WNotices of Recent Ornithological Publications.
[Continued from p. 145.]
36. Adamson’s ‘ Illustrations of Birds.’
[Some more Illustrations of Wild Birds, showing their Natural Habits,
by C. M. Adamnson. 4to. London: Gurney & Jackson: 1887. ]
This is, if we rightly remember, the third of the series of
sketches made by the author to illustrate his recollections
and experiences of the wild birds among which so much of
his time has been spent. Of course they are unequal in
merit, but many of them are very spirited, and we admire
the way in which, hke another amateur artist and mutual
friend in the north country, Mr. Adamson never shrinks
from attempting to reproduce upon paper attitudes which
are always difficult and sometimes almost impossible to be
rendered. ‘To the critic who might say that the actions
themselves are unnatural and impossible, we would reply that
we have ourselves seen so many of them, that we believe in
the substantial accuracy of the rest.
37. ° The Auk’
(‘The Auk,’ A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Vol. IV. No. 4,
October 1887 ; Vol. V. No. 1, January 1888. ]
In the October Part, Mr. W. E. D. Scott has a third and
concluding paper on the bird-rookeries of Southern Florida
and their destruction by the dealers in plumes. We observe
that our previous remarks on the subject (Ibis, 1887, p. 457)
have attracted favourable notice in the ladies’ newspaper,
‘The Queen’; but, for the reasons then expressed, we have
small hope of any beneficial result. Mr. W. Lloyd’s notes
on 253 species of birds found in Western Texas are con-
cluded. Mr. E. W. Blake, jun., gives an account of 27
species observed in summer on the island of Santa Cruz, the
second in size of the Santa Barbara group, off Lower Cali-
fornia. Mr. H. K. Coale describes Junco hyemalis shufeldti,
subsp. n., as distinguished from J. h. oregonus, under the
“inestimable blessing ”—according to Mr. Seebohm—of
T 2
268 Recently published Ornithological Works.
trinomialism ; he has also a paper, with illustrations, on a
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), with a horny spur growing
from the “thumb-tip” of each wing; and on an example
of Buteo latissimus, described as a “ Hawk with nine toes,”
or, in other words, with one extra toe just above the ankle-
joint. Mr. Kumlein states that he has received from Dr. C.
F. Wiepken, of the Museum of Oldenburg, Germany, a young
male Falco esalon, shot at Cape Farewell, Greenland, May 3,
1875.
Mr. Cory continues his list of the ‘ Birds of the West
Indies’ in this Part, while his contribution to the same
subject in Part 1 for 1888 includes the Petrels, which shows
that the end is near. On p. 53 he mentions a new species,
Rallus coryi, Maynard, from Andros Island, Bahamas, origi-
nally described in the ‘American Exchange and Mart’ of
January 15, 1887. Mr. Cory describes (p. 47) Margarops
montanus rufus, subsp. n., from Dominica, and Elainea bar-
badensis, sp. n., from Barbadoes. Dr. Elhott Coues an-
nounces the discovery that there are four subspecies of Chor-
diles [sic: it is Chordeiles in the authoritative ‘ Check-List ” |
popetue in the United States. We suppose that the C. po-
petue of Dr. Coues, here and in his “ Key,” but of which no
mention is made in the said ‘ Check-List,’ is the same as
C. virginianus of the ‘Check-List, in which C. popetue is
equally ignored. According to Dr. Coues, the four forms
are:—C. popetue, of Eastern North America; C. sennetti,
subsp. n., Dakota to Texas; C. henryi, of Western North
America; and C. chapmani, subsp. n., Florida to Texas.
Mr. G. B. Sennett contributes notes on the Peucea ruficeps
group, with a description of Peucea scottii [sic], subsp.
nov., from Arizona. He also describes Psaltriparus lloydi,
sp. n., from the mountains of Western Texas ; Nyctidromus
albicollis merrilli, subsp. n., from Southern Texas; and Parus
carolinensis agilis, subsp. u., from Texas. Mr. W. Brewster,
who has lately received some important collections, describes
the following:—<Ardea virescens frazari, subsp. n., Lower
California ; Ardea bahamensis, sp. n., Bahamas; Hematopus
frazari, sp.n., Lower California; Columba fasciata viosce,
Recently published Ornithological Works. 269
subsp. u., Lower California ; Megascops aspersus and M. vi-
naceus, spp. nn., Province of Chihuahua, Mexico; Otophanes
mcleodit [sic], gen. et sp. n., Chihuahua, Mexico ; Hmpidonax
cineritius, sp. n., Lower California; Icterus wagleri castaneo-
pectus, subsp. n., Mountains of Sonora and Chihuahua; dA?-
mophila meleodit and A. cahooni, spp. un., Northern Mexico ;
and Troglodytes cahooni, sp.n., Sonora. Mr. R. Ridgway con-
tributes an interesting notice of the life and labours of the
much regretted Professor 8. F. Baird. Some other papers
we leave unnoticed, as more especially interesting to Ame-
rican ornithologists ; but it is satisfactory to see that our
countryman and fellow-member of the B. O. U., Mr. John
Swinburne, is probably the first ornithologist who has dis-
covered the nest and eggs of the Evening Grosbeak (Cocco-
thraustes vespertinus) in the White Mountains of Arizona.
A female example of Falco tinnunculus was shot near Nan-
tucket, Massachusetts, on Sept. 29, 1887, and examined
in the flesh by Mr. C. B. Cory; the first record of the
occurrence of our Kestrel in the United States.
38. Biichner on the Birds of the St. Petersburg District.
[Die Vogel des St. Petersburger Gouvernements. Von Eug. Biichner.
Beitr. z. Kenntn, d. Russ. Reiches, Folg. 3, Band ii. |
In 1881 Messrs. Biichner and Pleske published a sketch
of the ornithology of the St. Petersburg Government, with
notes on 211 species of birds. Since that date so much new
information has been obtained that, without swelling the list
by the insertion of any species of doubtful occurrence within
the prescribed limits, the number now found therein has been
increased to 251. An Appendix contains a list of the species
which have been erroneously attributed to the district, accom-
panied by some remarks upon the introducers, A feature of
this excellent treatise is the evident care with which the
geographical distribution has been worked out. Those orni-
thologists who base the segregation of the White-spotted
and the Red-spotted Bluethroats upon the supposed complete
distinctness of their breeding-area, may be surprised to learn
that the White-spotted form does not stop short at the Vistula,
270 Recently published Ornithological Works.
as was previously supposed, but breeds, although sparingly,
full 20° of longitude further east, in the St. Petersburg
Government, where, however, the Red-spotted form un-
doubtedly prevails. The next question is, do they inter-
breed ?
59. Emerson on the Birds of Southern California.
[Ornithological Observations in San Diego County. By W. Otto
Emerson. Bull. California Acad. Sci. vol. 11. p. 419.)
The present paper is intended to show the relative abun-
dance of the birds found on the Voleano Mountains, where the
author was storm-bound from January to March 1884, and
those of the Poway Valley in winter and spring. 'The Volcano
Mountains, rising about 5000 feet above sea-level, are about
seventy-five miles north-east of San Diego, in Southern
California, and 46 species were noticed there. From Poway
Valley, twenty-two miles north of San Diego, 63 species are
recorded.
40. Ernst on the Berds of the Caracas Museum.
[Catalogo de las Aves en el Museo Nacional de Caracas. Por A.
Ernst, Director del Museo. Revista Cientifica de la Universidad Central
de Venezuela, vol. 1. p. 26. ]
Dr. Ernst gives us a catalogue of the species of birds repre-
sented in the National Museum of Venezuela at Caracas.
These are 339 in number, mostly native, but some extra-
neous. The Spanish vernacular names are usually men-
tioned, but the series of Venezuelan species is by no means
complete. We observe that the Condor (Sarcorhamphus
gryphus) is stated to occur in the Andes of Merida. The
Chauna of Venezuela is not C. chavaria, as here stated, but
C. derbiana. A complete list of Venezuelan birds is still a
desideratum.
41. Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Centrali- Americana.’
[ Biologia Centrali-A mericana; or, Contributions to the Knowledge of
the Fauna and Flora of Mexico and Central America. Edited by F.
Recently published Ornithological Works. 271
DuCane Godman and Osbert Salvin. (Zoology.) Parts LII.—LXVI.
4to. London: 1886-88. Published for the Editors by R. H. Porter,
10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W.]
Since our last notice (Ibis, 1887, p. 107) the energetic
Editors of the ‘ Biologia Centrali-Americana’ have issued no
less than sixteen numbers of this important work, in the
course of which the Birds are completed up to the end of the
Oscines. The families treated of are the Icteride, Cor-
videe, and Alaudide. Of the first of these, 42 species are
recognized as coming within the limits of the Central Ame-
rican avifauna; while of the Corvide, 24 species are noticed.
Amongst them is our old friend Corvus corax, which descends
the high lands of the New World as far south as Guatemala
and, perhaps, Honduras. A single species of Shore Lark re-
presents the family Alaudidze in Central America, for which
the authors cautiously empley the name Otocorys chrysolema,
Alauda chrysolema of Wagler having been based on Mexican
specimens. ‘They do not, however, pronounce an opinion
upon the difficult question of the specific differences of the
American Shore Larks, which Mr. Henshaw has recently
divided (‘ Auk,’ i. p. 260) into nine subspecies !
The following species are figured :—Icterus sclatert, Icterus
auratus, Cyanocitta argentigula, and Cyanolyca yucatanica.
42. Gould’s ‘ Birds of New Guinea.’
[The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands, including
any new Species that may be discovered in Australia. By [the late]
John Gould, F.R.S. &. Parts XXIII, XXIV. Folio. London:
1887-88. ]
Two numbers of the ‘ Birds of New Guinea’ have been
issued since our last notice of this work (Ibis, 1887, p. 108),
and contain representations of the following species :—
Part XXIII. (1887).
Parotia lawesi. Melilestes ilolophus.
Geoffroyius timorlaoensis. Zosterops rendovee.
Cyclopsitta coccineifrons, Phonygama purpureoviolacea.
Calliechthrus leucolophus. Pachycephala christophori.
Criniger chloris. Rallicula forbesi.
Lamprocorax minor. Cracticus rufescens.
Myzomela nigrita.
272 Recently published Ornithological Works.
Part XXIV. (1888).
Lophorhina minor, Ephthianura crocea,
Podargus ocellatus. Donacicola hunsteini.
Tanysiptera microrhyncha. Melidectes emilil.
Charmosyna stelle. Geocichla schistacea.
Lorius flavo-palliatus, Gymnocrex plumbeiventris.
Microdynamis parva. Mlurcedus melanocephalus.
Lycocorax obiensis.
Many of the species figured in these parts are from the
south-eastern peninsula of New Guinea, to which several
energetic explorers have lately devoted their attention.
Amongst these are two Paradise Birds, Parotia lawesi and
Lophorhina minor, both of which are closely allied to their
northern representatives. Two new and interesting discoveries
in Australian ornithology are likewise introduced in the pre-
sent numbers. These are Cracticus rufescens, a most distinct
species, from Queensland, resembling an immature bird of
one of the pied species of this genus ; and Hphthianura crocea,
from North-western Australia, easily known by its yellow
under-plumage and black collar.
43. Gurney on the House- Sparrow.
[On the Misdeeds of the House-Sparrow (Pusser domesticus). By J.
H. Gurney, Jun. 8vo. London: Gurney & Jackson, 1887. ]
This little pamphlet is a rejoinder to a small book entitled
‘The Sparrow-Shooter,’ by the Rev. F. O. Morris, im which
that writer (who has, we see, been recently awarded a
pension of £100 a year for his “ efforts on behalf of humanity
towards animals”’) befriends the “ poor Sparrows ” through
thick and thin, regardless of the poor farmers. Mr. Gurney
adduces evidence of the preponderance of mischief wrought
by this bird, and in common with other practical land-owners,
whose names are given, advocates its diminution (see our
remarks uuder Merriam, infra, No. 47).
44. Harvie-Brown and Buckley on the Birds of Sutherland
and Caithness.
[A Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherland, Caithness, and West Cromarty.
By J. A. Harvie-Brown and T. KE. Buckley. 8vo. Edinburgh: Douglas,
1837. |
Recently published Ornithological Works. 273
This is a handsome, well-printed work, with a striking title-
page from a sketch by Mr. J. G. Millais, and several other
excellent illustrations. A map is appended, based upon the
comparatively new plan of showing the faunal areas of the
district as marked out by such natural boundaries as water-
sheds, rather than by the old-fashioned political liimits—a
scheme which will, we think, commend itself favourably to
most naturalists. This book is intended to be the first of a
series, and we believe that the issue of a similar work on the
Hebrides is close at hand. The records of distribution and
migration are based upon observations, made for the last
twenty years, over the greater part of the district included ;
and it would be difficult to find authors who were better
qualified for the task of obtaining accurate information, espe-
cially as regards Sutherlandshire. Of Caithness their know-
ledge is less extensive, and they have therefore deemed it
advisable to separate, under each species, the details refer-
ring to that district ; while they further divide the results of
their own experiences from the statements derived from the
journal of the late Mr. Osborne and other sources.
In the field the authors are more at home than in the
study. A large portion of the notes relating to the birds was
published in 1884 as an Appendix to the 2nd edition of the
late Charles St. John’s ‘ Tour in Sutherland’; in which form
it had the advantage of being compact, and referring only to
the birds of Sutherland. Now, the eye is confused by the
insertion of all the species in the British List, printed in the
same type, and numbered right through, so that if anyone
wishes to see, at a glance, the number of species in Suther-
land and Caithness, he will find 380 as the last numeral !
The reason for this is, presumably, to show the reader the
species which have been obtained in other parts of the British
Islands ; but even so, it is unnecessary to give him the totally
erroneous information that the Black-eared Chat has been
obtained in the United Kingdom. The fact that Mr. W. E.
Clarke made this mistake in his ‘ Vertebrate Fauna of York-
shire,’ in 1881, was no excuse for copying it in 1887. We
should like to know the names of the English ornithologists,
274 Recently published Ornithological Works.
of any repute, who have recently stated that the Redstart is
“rare in Scotland ;”? and although Mr. Seebohm has, by his
characteristic style of writing, given occasion for the regret-
table remarks on pp. 57, 58, we can nowhere find that he
employs anything like the words placed between quotation
marks. Even if such were the case, authors who make the
astounding statement that the Goldfinch is “ considered by
us one of the very rarest and most local of British—not to
say Caithness—birds,” should be lenient to their southern
friends. The dwellers on “ the Thames” might retort that
they were capable of grasping the idea that ‘something
should be done ” to stop ‘“‘the senseless slaughter” of
that “interesting species,” the Grey-lag Goose, without
having the fact rubbed into them, in hardly varied phrase,
no less than four times in little more than a page! And the
statement that a “‘ Rosey [sic] Pastor”? had been shot and
sent for preservation, reads like a shocking allusion to some
ruddy-gilled minister.
A feature of the work is a description of the nesting of the
Snow Bunting in Sutherlandshire ; while many other inter-
esting and novel facts are to be found in the book. If we
have called attention to some of its apparent shortcomings,
it is because we do not belong to the society of the “ log-
rollers,’ and are anxious that the ‘ Birds of the Hebrides’
should receive more careful revision than its predecessor.
The Index is very full; unfortunately it contains a good
many errors ; and we have looked in vain for a much-needed
list of “ Errata et Corrigenda.”’
45. Linnean Society of New South Wales (Proceedings of).
[The Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. Second
Series. Vol. II. Pts. 1-3. 1887. Sydney.]
The three Parts now before us contain several papers on
ornithology. Mr. K. H. Bennett contributes a note on the
nesting of a Pachycephala, supposed to be P. gilberti. Dr.
E. P. Ramsay gives a list of 152 species of birds collected at
Derby, North Australia, by the late T. H. Bowyer Bower (cf.
Ibis, 1887, p. 479) ; and he also describes (p. 289) Epimachus
Recently published Ornithological Works. 275
macleayane, sp. n., from the Astrolabe range, South-east
New Guinea, allied to HZ. major, but differing from the latter
in length of tail, colour of underparts, and rosy tint of flanks.
Mr. A. J. North has three papers on the eggs of birds found
in the Australian, Austro-Malayan, and Pacific Regions.
Dr. W. A. Haswell gives a paper, with eight plates, on the
early stages in the development of the Emu, Dromeus nove-
hollandie.
46. Menzbier on the Osteology of the Penguins.
[ Vergleichende Osteologie der Penguine in Anwendung zur Hauptein-
theilung der Vogel. Von Dr. M. vy. Menzbier. Bull. Soc. Imp. d. Nat.
Moscou, 1887, no. 3, p. 483.]
The memoir commences with an account of the osteo-
logy of Penguins, followed by a special description of a
young Hudyptes chrysocoma. 'The principal parts of this
specimen are illustrated in the plate, which is coloured in the
usual way, to indicate the ossified cartilaginous regions.
Before discussing the relationship of Penguins to other birds,
the author gives a useful summary of all that has been dis-
covered with regard to fossil Penguins. Our knowledge,
however, is limited to a fairly complete description of a large
form Paleeudyptes antarcticus which existed in New Zea-
land in late Eocene or early Miocene times. In this Pen-
guin the wings were a little longer, and the tarso-metatarsal
bones rather more separate than in existing genera. From
this the author concludes that we may safely regard the cha-
racteristic shortness and separateness of the metatarsal bones as
an hereditary structure, and not as one that has been brought
about recently by adaptation. The views of Huxley, Marsh,
and others as to the main subdivisions of Birds are then dis-
cussed at length ; it is suggested that, while all birds have been
derived from the Dinosauria, their origin is not, in the strict
sense of the word, monophylitic, inasmuch as the different
groups have probably descended from different genera
of Dinosauria. The principal conclusions to which the
author has been led are, that Penguins form a group of
birds near to extinction, characterized by structural peculi-
276 Recently published Ornithological Works.
arities partly embryonic and partly typically avian ; that their
adaptation to an aquatic life and the fact that they do not
come into competition with other birds have allowed of
their survival; and that as regards their systematic position
it is necessary to place them in a group (Hupodornithes)
equivalent to that of the remaining groups of birds, viz.
Saurure, Ratitaee, Odontotorme, and Carinatie.
47. Merriam on the Misdeeds of the British House-Sparrow.
[Report of the Ornithologist, C. Hart Merriam, M.D., for the year 1886.
Annual Rept. of the Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., for 1886,
p- 227.]
The heading which we have selected virtually expresses the
gist of the present Report ; and if, as it has been cynically
remarked, the misfortunes and mistakes of our neighbours
and relations are to be contemplated with a certain amount
of satisfaction, the perusal of these pages will afford a grim
pleasure to those who believe in the desirability of non-inter-
ference with the workings of Nature. Our foolish Austra-
lian and New-Zealand offspring, and our far ’cuter American
cousins, are alike paying the penalty for neglecting what the
Duke of Argyll has felicitously taught us to recognize as
“A Great Lesson.” Sentimentality was, we believe, the
reason for the transportation of the Sparrow to Australia ;
while a mistaken belief that the bird would rid the Trans-
atlantic cities of the caterpillars which destroyed the foliage
of the trees in the streets and parks was the utilitarian
motive for the introduction of this pest to the United States.
In 1850 the Hon. Nicolas Pike and other Directors of the
Brooklyn Institute commenced the importation; in 1852
larger numbers were brought over; in 1858, and at subse-
quent dates, colonies were imported in Maine, Rhode Island,
New York, Pennsylvania, &c.; and by 1870 the species was
so firmly established in the Eastern States, that it began the
western march which, as shown by the coloured map at-
tached to this Report, extends to Kansas and southward to
Georgia. The evidence as to its destructiveness to grain,
and the injury which it inflicts by driving away harmless
Recently published Ornithological Works. 277
insectivorous birds, is overwhelming, but on this we need
not enter. The American verdict is that “the English Spar-
row is a curse of such virulence, that it ought to be syste-
matically attacked and destroyed”’; while “ recommendations
to the people ”’ are issued showing how this desirable end may
be attained. .
48. Montlezun on Bernicle Geese.
{Note sur les Palmipédes Lamellirostres. Par M. le comte A. de
Montlezun, Bull. Soc. Nat. d’Acclimat. France, 1886, p. 132.]
This is a continuation of a series of notes upon the Anatide,
with reference to their habits and treatment in captivity.
The present paper relates to the species of Bernicle Geese
(Bernicla), as recognized by Gray in his ‘ Hand-list.’
49. § Ornis.’
[Ornis: Internationale Zeitschrift fiir die gesammte Ornithologie.
Herausgegeben von Dr. R. Blasius und Dr. G. y. Hayek. III. Jahrgang,
(1887), Hefte 2, 3.]
The greater portion of these Hefte (pp. 161-360) contains
the concluding part of the Report for 1884 on the birds of
the Austro-Hungarian Empire, by V. v. Tschusi and K. v.
Dalla-Torre. Drs. O. Finsch and R. Blasius have a paper on
the Terns of Diego Garcia, with two coloured plates of the
eges of Sterna fuliginosa and Anous stolidus ; the letterpress
being based upon Dr. Finsch’s short visit to the above island,
already described by him in the ‘ Deutsche geographische
Blitter.2. Mr. Giitke contributes his Heligoland Migration-
report for 1886; and Dr. A. Stahl gives a short account of
the birds of Porto Rico,
50. Palmén on Siberian Birds.
[Bidrag till Kainnedomen om Sibiriska Ishafskustens Fogelfauna enligt
Vega-Expeditionens iakttagelser och samlingar bearbetade aif J. A. Palmén.
“Uy, Vega-Expedit. Vetenskap. iakttagelser,” Bd. v. pp. 242-51].
Stockholm : 1887. |
This is the official account of the birds obtained during
278 Recently published Ornithological Works.
the celebrated expedition of the ‘ Vega’ round the northern
coast of Siberia in 1878-79. The specimens, some of which
we have had the pleasure of seeing in this country, are finally
deposited in the Natural-History Museum of Stockholm.
About 300 examples obtained are referred to 80 species, on
which many valuable notes are given. The “plum” of the
collection was Hurynorhynchus pygmeus, of which about 20
specimens were procured near the ‘ Vega’s’ winter-quarters
near the extreme north-eastern point of Siberia. Specimens
of two American Mniotiltide, Henicocichla noveboracensis
and Dendraca coronata, were obtained on the Tschuktschi
coast. A very full and useful list of the ornithological
literature of the Polar area is added to this excellent piece
of work.
51. Salvadori on Birds from Upper Burmah.
[Uccelli raccolti nella Birmania Superiore (1885-1886). Per T. Sal-
vadori. Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova, ser. 2, vol. iv. p. 568. |
The author gives an account of the collection of birds
made by Sign. L. Fea, Assistant in the Museo Civico of
Genoa, in 1885 and 1886, at Bhamo and other places in its
neighbourhood. The 306 specimens obtained are referred to
111 species, all of which but 3 are enumerated in Mr. Oates’s
‘Handbook to the Birds of British Burmah.’? Dr. Anderson
had previously collected birds in the Bhamo district during
the Yunnan Expedition, but 44 of Sign. Fea’s species are
not in Dr. Anderson’s list. Count Salvadori is disposed to
distinguish the Asiatic form of Ceryle rudis as C. varia,
Strickl., and gives many useful notes on this and other
species.
52. Salvadori on Birds from Tenasserim.
[Uccelli raccolti nel Tenasserim (1887). Per Tommaso Salvadori.
Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova, ser. 2, vol. v. p. 554 (1888). ]
Sign. L. Fea, whose collection from Upper Burmah has
been mentioned above, proceeded to Tenasserim in 1887 and
explored the district of Moulmein, where he ascended Mount
Recently published Ornithological Works. 200
Mooleyit to its summit. He obtained 454 birdskins, which
are referred by Count Salvadori to 160 species. Five of
them were new, and were described in a previous paper in
the same journal*. Many interesting notes are given upon
other species.
53. Sclater and Hudson’s ‘ Argentine Ornithology,
[Argentine Ornithology. A descriptive Catalogue of the Birds of the
Argentine Republic. By P. L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &e. With
Notes on their Habits by W. H. Hudson, C.M.Z.S., late of Buenos Ayres.
Vol. I. Royal 8vo. London: 1888. |
The present volume contains an account of the Passeres
of the Argentine Republic, which, as at present known,
number some 229 species. The second volume, which it is
hoped will be ready in the course of the year, is to be devoted
to the history of the remaining Orders of Birds, and will also
contain the Introduction and Index, and complete the work.
All the personal observations recorded in these pages are
due to Mr. Hudson, while Sclater is responsible for the
arrangement, nomenclature, and scientific portions of the
work.
The number of Passeres recognized by the authors as be-
longing to the Argentine avifauna is 229. Figures, drawn by
Keulemans, are given of the following species :—Mimus tri-
urus, Cinclus schulzi, Cyclorhis ochrocephala, C. altirostris,
Stephanophorus leucocephalus, Saltatricula multicolor, Molo-
thrus badius, M. rufo-avillaris, Tenioptera rubetra, Phyto-
toma rutila, Homorus lophotes, and Drymornis bridges.
54. Sharpe on the Fringillide.
[Catalogue of the Passeriformes, or Perching Birds, in the Collection
of the British Museum. Fringilliformes: Part III., containing the
family Fringillide. By R. Bowdler Sharpe. London: 1888, 872 pp.,
16 coloured plates. |
The twelfth volume of the ‘Catalogue of the Birds in the
* Merula fee, Niltava oatest, Pericrocotus pulcherrimus, P. rubro-lim-
batus, and Aceros leucostigma (Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, ser. 2, vol. iv.
pp. 514-516; 1887).
280 Recently published Ornithological Works.
British Museum’ was not published, as we are informed on
authority, until February 25th, 1888, although its issue had
been previously alluded to in some journals. It is a bulky
work of 872 pages, illustrated by 16 plates, and is devoted
entirely to the Fringillide, of which family Mr. Sharpe
recognizes 559 species, represented in the National Collec-
tion by 9443 specimens. Only 30 of the recognized species
are unrepresented in this enormous series.
The following new species and subspecies appear to be de-
scribed or named for the first time in this volume :—Geospiza
difficilis, Guiraca cyanea argentina, Amaurospiza equato-
rialis, A. avillaris, Fringilla maderensis, Chrysomitris sclateri,
C. stejnegeri, C. icterica capitalis, C. icterica boliviana, C. ic-
terica longirostris, Passer domesticus griseigularis, Sycalis
flaveola jamaice, 8S. taczanowskii, Carpodacus roseipectus,
Pyrrhospiza punicea humii, Zonotrichia whitii, Poospiza bol-
viana, Peucea ruficeps homochlamys, Phrygilus caniceps boli-
vianus, and Coryphospingus mentalis.
Three new genera are instituted, namely, Pseudochloris,
for Sycalis lutea (dV’Orb. et Lafr. and others) ; Schistospiza,
for Coryphospingus griseocristatus (VOrb. et Lafr.); and
Rhodospingus, for Coryphospingus cruentus (Less.).
The following species are figured :—Coccothraustes humit,
Spermophila palustris, Chrysomitris thibetana, Montifringilla,
blanfordi, Passer pyrrhonotus, Poliospiza rufibrunnea, Serinus
burtoni, S. crocopygius, S. leucopterus, Carpodacus ambiguus,
Pyrrhula kurilensis, Emberiza godlewskii, Zonotrichia whiti,
Poospiza boliviana, Rhodospingus cruentus, and R. mentalis ;
also heads of the different species of Paroaria, namely,
Paroaria cucullata, dominicana, nigrigenis, gularis, capitata,
and cervicalis.
Our American friends will be surprised to find their species
of Leucosticte united to the genus Montifringilla ; and our
home ornithologists will learn with mingled feelings that the
Common Bunting is henceforth to be called Mikaria miliaria !
We do not say that these changes are wrong, but we think
that the author might have told us in a few lines why he
had thought it necessary to make these and similar altera-
Recently published Ornithological Works. 281
tions in established nomenclature. It is a golden rule, in
our opinion, never to change a scientific name when it can
possibly be avoided. These, however, are but trifling criti-
cisms on the excellent piece of work turned ont by the ener-
getic author of the present volume, which, looking to the
multifarious duties involved in the custody and arrangement
of the great National Collection of Birds, it is truly wonderful
that he should have found time to accomplish.
55. Shufeldt on Birds’ Muscles useful in Classification.
[A Review of the Muscles used in the Classification of Birds. By R.
W. Shufeldt. Journ. Comp. Med. and Surg., Oct. 1887. ]
This seems to be a good general paper on the subject in
question, and, like all Dr. Shufeldt’s writings, is excellently
illustrated. Whether the author is correct in his views of
the ‘‘dermo-tensor patagii”’ 1s, however, open to question.
See Dr. Stejneger’s remarks on this point (Science, x. p. 71),
noticed below.
56. Stejneger on a Muscle of the Bird’s Wing.
[Pars propatagialis musculi cucullaris. By Leonhard Stejneger.
Science, vol. x. p. 70.]
Dr. Stejneger maintains that Dr. Shufeldt’s “‘ dermo-tensor
patagit”’ of the bird’s wing, which he considers of “‘ taxonomic
value” (Science, ix. p. 623), and to have been “ overlooked
by Garrod,” is by no means a new discovery, and not likely
to be useful in classification. See also ‘The Auk,’ v. p. 120.
57. Steyeneger on a new Thrush.
[Diagnosis of a new Species of Thrush (Zurdus celenops, sp. nov.) from
Japan. By Leonhard Stejneger. Science, vol. x. p. 108. ]
The American journal ‘ Science’ for August 26th, 1887,
contains a description by Dr. Stejneger of a new Thrush,
Turdus celenops, allied to T. chrysolaus, from the “Seven
Islands,” south of the Bay of Tokio.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. U
282 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
58. Winge on Fossil Birds from Brazil.
[Fugel fra Knoglehuler i Brasilien, Af Oluf Winge. 4to. Kjoben-
hayn: 1887. |
Herr Winge has completed the working out of the birds’
bones found by Lund in the caverns of Lagoa Santa, Minas,
Brazil, which was begun by Lund himself and continued by
Reinhardt. The species enumerated are 126 in number,
many of which are still living in the same district. Some
remains of a Goose of the genus Chenalopax are referred to
a new species as Ch. pugil.
XX V.—Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
We have received the following letters addressed to the
Editors of ‘ The Ibis : >—
Labuan, Borneo,
Dec. 19, 1887.
Sirs,—In ‘The Ibis’ for October 1886 I recorded the
occurrence of Ptilopus melanocephalus on Banguey Island,
and mentioned that it was reported by natives that Parrots
similar to those found in the Philippines were to be met with on
the Mantanani Islands, a group of recent coral islets situated —
about 18 miles off Abai harbour, in North Borneo. A few
days ago I visited Abai in order to land Mr. J. Whitehead,
who has started on his second journey to Kina Balu; and L
took the opportunity of running out to the Mantanani group,
where I was successful in verifying the native report, finding
that the islands abounded with a species of Tanygnathus,
which is identical with, or very closely allied to, 7. luzoni-
ensis. I also found abundance of a large Pigeon, which I
think will prove to be Carpophaga pickeringi. Whether these
two species are migrants or are permanently settled on the
islands remains to be proved, as is also the case with
Ptilopus melanocephalus. The Mantanani Isles are Bor-
nean geographically, but they are well situated for re-
ceiving migrants and stragglers from the Palawan group of
the Philippimes, and some of these may have become perma-
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 283
nent residents. These islands positively swarm with Calenas
nicobarica. These birds nest here in trees, to which they
readily take when disturbed on the ground. ‘There are no
monkeys nor wild pigs on the islands.
The locality printed ‘‘ Falassan ” in my previous note should
be “ Palawan.”
Yours &c.,
A. EVERETT.
52 Stanhope Gardens, Queen’s Gate,
Feb. 17, 1888.
Srrs,—Your issue of January last contains an interesting
contribution “ On the Birds of New Zealand,” by Mr. T. W.
Kirk, of the Geological Survey Department, Wellington,
N.Z. Among other things he mentions (at p. 46) the occur-
rence of an Australian Masked Plover at Kai-Iwi in the
North Island; but he is wrong in his identification of the
species. Instead of being Lobivanellus personatus, as he sup-
poses, it is undoubtedly L. /obatus. The colours and markings
of the two species are very similar, but the character of the
“mask ” is entirely different in the two birds. Mr. Drew,
in whose little museum at Wanganui the specimen is_pre-
served, has sent me a sketch of the head, which places its
determination beyond question. In the description which
he gives of the plumage he mentions that the “ crown, nape,
hind neck, and ear-coverts are jet-black,” and that the back is
“reddish grey.” The description given by Mr. Kirk is
avowedly taken from Gould’s account of L. personatus, and
does not exactly accord with Mr. Drew’s.
Yours &c.,
W. L. Buier.
Seggieden, Perth,
Feb. 28, 1888.
Sirs,—As the following notice of what I believe to be
the second occurrence of Sawicola deserti in Scotland may
be interesting to some of the readers of ‘ The Ibis,’ and as
the bird came into my hands in a somewhat chance way, I
284 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
do not hesitate to send you the full particulars. On the 9th
of last month, in writing on certain matters to an ornitho-
logical friend in Arbroath, Mr. A. Nicol Simpson, who is
ever observant of the birds reaching our coasts and has
already formed a considerable collection, I casually asked
him if any rarities had lately been seen in his neighbourhood.
On the 13th I received a note in reply to say that he had
heard, among other things, that a Wheatear had been shot
by Mr. Alexander Marshall, birdstuffer in that town. Thinking
it curious that a Wheatear should appear on the coast in mid-
winter, and believing it might turn out to be only a Stone-
chat, a bird which not unfrequently remains with us all
winter, I wrote to Mr. Simpson to ask if he could kindly
get the bird for my inspection. On questioning Mr. Mar-
shall on the subject, Mr. Simpson found that, considering
the bird to be only a Common Wheatear, though a very
highly coloured specimen, Mr. Marshall had not preserved
it, owing to part of the head having been shot away, and
had left it lyimg ever since outside his shop, where, most
fortunately, it still remained, though some two or three
weeks had elapsed. My friend, being in a great hurry at
the time, did not examine it, and thinking it of no use for
preservation in the state it was, enclosed it to me in a
common envelope, without any protection, so that, on its
arrival, owing to the effects of having been well stamped
in the various post-offices through which it had passed,
the chances of its preservation, as may be imagined, had not
increased. On hastily tearing open the very unpresentable
envelope, guess the astonishment of the recipient to find,
instead of the anticipated Stonechat, an example of Saz-
icola deserti! Fearing the specimen might be lost to
science, I sent it off at once to Mr. Harvie-Brown, of Duni-
pace (but a little more carefully packed), to confirm the dis-
covery for me, with the request that he would kindly forward
it on immediately to Mr. Robert Small, birdstuffer, Edin-
burgh, to see if he could possibly do anything with it. Under
Mr. Small’s able manipulation, I am happy to say it was
most successfully carbolized, it being impossible to skin it;
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 285
nor could the sex be ascertained, but it is believed to be a
young male of the season. It was shot about half a mile
east of Arbroath, as it was flying inland across the road
leading along the top of the cliffs, on the 28th December,
1887, at about 2.30 p.m., the wind blowing aslight gale from
the south at the time; there had been severe frost previous
to this.
Yours &c.,
H. W. Drummonp Hay.
Note on Zapornia spilonotax—In ‘The Ibis’ for 1877
(p. 194) the late Mr. H. Durnford gave a figure and descrip-
tion of an Argentine Rail, of which he obtained a specimen near
Buenos Ayres, as Porzana spiloptera (= Zaponia spiloptera,
Burm. MS.). Prof. Burmeister now informs us that this
bird is identical with Rallus salinasi of Philippi (Wiegm.
Arch. 1857, pt. 1. p. 262), described from Chilian specimens.
Prof. Burmeister has lately received a female example of this
Rail killed near Buenos Ayres, off the nest, along with the
nest and eggs.
Ornithological Travellers.—Prof. J. B. Steere, C.M.ZS.,
who made good collections in the Philippe Islands in 1874
(see Trans. Linn. Soc. London, ser. 2, vol. i. p. 307, 1877),
has obtained a year’s leave of absence from the University
of Ann Arbor, and, in company with three students interested
in zoology, has returned to that interesting group of islands
to study and collect. His principal work is with the Birds,
although he is also making large collections in Mammals,
Reptiles, Mollusca, and Radiates.
Mr. F. D. Godman, F.R.S., has been passing the winter
in Mexico, and has taken with him from the United States
an excellent assistant, Mr. H. H. Smith, who was lately in
Central Brazil, where he made an extensive collection of
birds. Mr. Godman’s head-quarters are the City of Mexico,
whence he is making frequent excursions into the less-explored
districts of the Republic.
Mr. L. Wray, jun., of the Perak Government Museum,
writes from there, on January 7th last, that he has just re-
SER. V.—VOL. VI. x
286 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
turned from another five months’ expedition into the central
mountain-range of that portion of the Malay Peninsula.
Mr. Wray’s collection, as in former cases (see P. Z. S. 1886,
p. 350, and 1887, p. 481), will probably be worked out by
Mr. Sharpe.
Dr. Guillemard is again in Cyprus for the spring months.
Our readers will join us in hoping that on his return he may
give us as interesting an account of his ornithological adven-
tures as he did of his similar tour in 1887.
New Monograph of the Weaver-birds and Finches.—My.
Edward Bartlett, of the Museum, Maidstone, announces the
Ist Part of a Monograph of the Ploceide and Fringillide.
Each Part is to contain six hand-coloured Plates drawn by
Mr. F. W. Frohawk, and letterpress, at the price, to Sub-
scribers only, of 10s. 6d. each Part.
Sale of another Great Auk’s Egg.—In our January No.
we recorded the sale of an egg of the Great Auk for the then
unprecedented price of 160 guineas; but on the 12th March
a much finer specimen realized the sum of £225 at Stevens’
Auction Rooms. It had been inherited by Mrs. Wise from
her father, the late Mr. Holland, who purchased it in 1851
from Williams, of Vere Street, for £18.
Obituary.— Mr. Epwarp Lear, who died at San Remo on
29th January last, at the age of seventy-four, had achieved a
wide celebrity as the clever artist who delineated the wild
scenery of Corsica, Calabria, and Albania, and also as the
originator of some delightful ‘‘ nonsense verses.” In addi-
tion to these accomplishments, he was, however, a true orni-
thologist, and the author of an important folio, published in
1831, entitled ‘ Illustrations of the Family of the Psittacide’ ;
he also supplied the plates for the late Dr. J. E. Gray’s
‘Gleanings from the Menagerie at Knowsley Hall,’ and for
other works on natural history.
We regret to have to record the death of one of our Mem-
bers, Mr. J. C. Hee, at Norwich, Ontario, Canada, on the
27th May, 1887.
lpeltelice lk Beles:
FIFTH SERIES.
No. XXIII. JULY 1888.
XXVI.—List of Birds collected in Eastern Africa by Mr.
Frederick J. Jackson, F.Z.S. By Capt. G. E. SHE.rey,
F.Z.S. With Notes and an Introduction by the Collector.
(Plates VI. & VII.)
I. Indroduction. By F. J. Jackson.
On Nov. 17, 1884, I left London in the British Indian s.s.
‘Henyada’ to join my friend Mr. J. G. Haggard, H.B.M.’s
Vice-Consul in Lamu, for some big-game shooting and to
collect natural-history specimens. On Dec. 25 I arrived at
Lamu, a port on the east coast of Africa, some 300 miles
north of Zanzibar. For the first two and a half months I
did not do much, either shooting or collecting, but after
two or three short trips to the mainland, in which I shot a
few Waterbucks and Hartebeests, I made preparations for a
trip up the river Lana, intending to proceed into the Galla
country, making my dhow my head-quarters.
On March 22, accordingly, I started in a fair-sized dhow,
with my own boat (a Dundee whale-boat, with air-tight com-
partments) in tow, and with 22 men, including the dhow’s crew.
‘| As the south-west monsoon had set ir, we had to time our-
SER. V.—VOL. VI. Y
288 Capt. G. E. Shelley on
selves to arrive at the river early in the morning, so as to get
over the bar whilst the wind was off shore and the sea calm.
Immediately on getting imto the river I was seized with a
very bad attack of fever. For a week I could not move
without help, and, as we were surrounded on all sides by
swamps, and as there was little prospect of getting well in
such a place, and, moreover, as the captain of the dhow told me
we should take a fortnight or three weeks to work up to the
game-country, owing to the river being in flood, I decided to
leave the river and to run some 15 miles down the coast to a
place called Merereni, Here game was fairly plentiful, and
here I bagged my first lioness and buffalo, also specimens of
Gazella walleri, G. granti, and the Lesser Kudu. As I
found big-game shooting and bird-collecting almost impossible
to combine, I collected chiefly butterflies, beetles, and moths.
This I was able to do by making a man carry a net and a bag
full of boxes, bottles, &c., and after a successful stalk, whilst
the men were trimming and cutting up the meat, I managed
to make a very fair collection. On my return I had the
misfortune to get upset in my dhow, and to lose everything I
possessed, including guns and rifles, besides ten of my men.
Here my own boat came in very handy. To make matters
worse, I found, on getting back to Lamu, that my small collec-
tions of birds and butterflies had been completely destroyed ;
the former by asmall beetle, the latter by a minute red ant, in
spite of camphor. After a few days in Lamu, I went down to
Zanzibar in July, 1885, to buy a few things to keep me going
until I could get more rifles, guns, and other gear, from
England. Sir John Kirk very kindly lent me a gun, with
which I made my collection of birds at Tangani, Jipi, and
Mashundwani. In December I was joined by my friend
Mr. G. H. Johnston, who brought out new guns and rifles.
As there is but little game near Lamu, excepting from
April till the end of July, we went, in February 1886, for a
short trip up the river Wani, opposite Zanzibar. Here we shot
some Leichenstein’s Hartebeests and Impalas, and one Sable
Antelope—three species I never saw or heard of near
|
|
Lamu. In May 1886, after a series of misfortunes, my friend |\
0)
=
Birds from Eastern Africa. 289
Johnston had to return home, owing to a bad attack of sun-
stroke. I then decided to make a short trip back to Merereni
to get a few Grant’s and Waller’s Gazelles and Lesser Kudus ;
but as the Masai who had murdered the Rev. Mr. Houghton
and his wife were still reported to be in the country, I was
advised to wait till they cleared out. Inthe meantime I went
over to Manda Island, opposite Lamu, and collected birds
there, from May 17th until June 15th, 1886. The whole
island is covered, with dense bush, with the exception of a
ridge of sand-hills running parallel with the coast, and where
the bush has been cut down in a few places for ‘ shambas”
(cultivated fields).
On June 15 I returned to Lamu, and after stopping a week
I set out for Merereni, travelling overland, and on my arrival
found a large coloriy had been formed there by some Swahili
pickers of Mereri (¢. e. orchella-weed). The game in conse-
quence was very scarce and wild, but I managed to get some
very fine specimens of Grant’s Gazelle and a good Waller’s
Gazelle, also an indifferent Lesser Kudu, besides three
Ostriches. Neither elephants nor buffaloes had come down
owing to the want of rain.
Being disappointed with this trip, I decided to go for a
three months’ excursion to Kilima-njaro, and after putting my
things straight in Lamu, I went down to Zanzibar to get my
caravan together. Instead of proceeding by the usual route,
vid Mombasa, I tried a new route vid Vanga, which, though
longer, was said to be better watered. Istarted from Vanga
on Sept. 13, and was accompanied by the Rev. A. W. Shaw,
of the Church Missionary Society, who thought that the
mission-men were better porters than the Zanzibaris, but
I think I disillusioned him of this idea. As game was
plentiful, and the demand for meat was great amongst the
Wataveita, I was enabled to buy flour, corn, bananas, beans,
&c. with meat, and thus to-make my three months’ provisions
last for ten months, Here again I found the combination of
bird-collecting and big-game shooting almost an impossibility ;
but I managed to make a small collection, which, as Capt.
Shelley reports, contains examples of 31 species, of which
one is new to science.
290 Capt. G. E. Shelley on
II. Report on the Birds. By Capt. G. E. Suettzey. With
Field-notes by F. J. Jackson.
Mr. Jackson’s collection of birds contains about 220 speci-
mens, referable to 126 species. It is, as might have been
expected, very characteristic of the Masai-land avifauna,
which has been so well investigated by the late Dr. Fischer.
It contains many additions to our National Museum.
Amongst these may specially be remarked Ploceus jacksont,
a new species from Kilima-njaro (which I have named after
its discoverer), Phileterus cabanisi, Vidua fischeri, Pyrome-
lana diademata, and Trachyphonus erythrocephalus, Cab., a
much larger species and very distinct from the 7. shelleyi,
Hartl., with which I once confounded it. There are also
examples of two rare Somali forms, Telephonus jamesi and
Cinnyris albiventris. The Kilima-njaro collection does not
contain any of the Alpine species first made known to us by
Mr. H. H. Johnston, but this may be accounted for by
Mr. Jackson’s expedition never having ascended above the
level of the happy hunting-ground of the sportsman.
As the avifauna of the Kilima-njaro district possesses
certain well-marked peculiarities, I have thought it best to
prepare two distinct lists ; one devoted to the birds procured
in the above-mentioned Jocality, the other to those obtained
in Manda Island and in other places near Lamu. It will
be understood that the field-notes are taken entirely from
Mr. Jackson’s journals.
A. Species from the district of Kilima-naro.
1. Circus macrurus (Gm.).
9. Lamu (21. 1. 87). Shot in the open plain between
Kaké and Taveita.
2. Mer ierax PoLiopTeRvs, Cab.
Shot while eating a lizard in the open plain between
Taveita and Lake Chala. This bird was fairly plentiful in
the plains, where, early in the morning, it was to be seen
beating up and down, flying very low, looking out for mice
and lizards.
Birds from Eastern Africa. 291
3. ACCIPITER MINULLUS (Daud.).
?. Kilima-njaro (17. 1. 87). Shot in the dense forest
between Kaké and Taveita.
4, ASTURINULA MONOGRAMMICA (Temm.).
Trides reddish brown; beak black; cere red; legs coral-
red ; claws black. Very common near Taveita.
5. Asto cAPENsIS (Smith).
3g. Indes bright yellow. Stomach contained the remains
of a large beetle, and also a large scorpion, the large claw
being perfect. Shot in a deep gorge in the middle of the
open plain near Rombo.
6. PoGONORHYNCHUS MELANOPTERUS (Peters).
3. Taveita.
Very abundant in Taveita in September and October,
when the fruit of the sycamore fig-tree is ripe.
7. 'TRACHYPHONUS ERYTHROCEPHALUS (Cab.).
Shot outside Taveita. I saw a pair, but only obtained one
of them.
[The characters which distinguish this species from 7. shel-
leyi are, as Dr. Hartlaub has pointed out (Lbis, 1886, p. 106),
very striking on a comparison with the Somali bird, which I
formerly thought to be the same (Ibis, 1885, p. 394). The
blood-red colouring extends over the whole sides of the head
and round the nape, with only a shght shade of yellow near
the nostrils and front of the cheeks. The skin is bare and
dark in front and round the eyes, and there is a large white
mark at the end of the ear-coverts, common to the three
closely allied species. The present bird is at once distin-
guished from 7’. versicolor, Hartl., by having the under
tail-coverts red.—G. E. S.]
8. CeryLe MAxima (Pall.).
Taveita, June 1887.
Fairly plentiful on the rivers Lumi and Habari.
9. ALCEDO SEMITORQUATUS, Sw.
Shot on the river Lumi at Rombo.
292 Capt. G. E. Shelley on
10. LopHoceros MELANoLEUCUS (Licht.).
¢. Lamu. Irides light brown; legs black.
Very common in Taveita.
11. CoccystEs sacosrnus (Bodd.).
9 (24. 1.87). Plentiful. Shot between Taveita and Kaké.
12. TeRsrPpHONE cristata (Gm.).
¢. Taveita. Ivides brown; eyelids and legs light slaty
blue.
13. ERrirHacus GUTTURALIS (Guér.).
6. Irides brown; bill and legs black. Stomach contained
insects. Shot between Taveita and Kaké.
14. EryrHropyeia Luucoprera (Ripp.).
3. Langora.
Irides brown. Stomach contained small beetles. The
only one I saw. Shot in thick bush.
15. Dryoscorus cusia (Shaw).
3. Taveita (26. 1. 87).
Common in Taveita.
16. Moracinna vipua, Sund.
Shot inside the camp compound at Taveita.
17. PHiterarus CaBANISI. (Plate VI.)
Nigrita cabanisi, Fisch. et Reichen. J. f. O. 1884, p. 54.
Phileterus cabanisi, Shelley, Ibis, 1886, p. 308.
3 ?. Bill white, base of lower mandible tinged with
yellowish green; legs brownish flesh-colour; irides crimson.
Only seen in one place in the bush on the slopes of the
Sogouvi Mountains. Here I found a small colony building
their nests in a table-topped mimosa tree in March 1887.
[ Of this fine species, which is new to the collection of the
British Museum, Mr. Jackson has brought a male and two
females, obtained in the Kilima-njaro district in March 1887.
—G.E.S.]
18. Vipvua FIscHERI, Reichen.
¢. Shot in the Arusha-wa-chini country, in February 1887.
I saw another specimen, but being after big game at the time,
1 could not shoot it.
Birds from Eastern Africa. 293
19. ConiusPasseR Laticaupa (Licht.).
3. Kilima-njaro, May 1887.
Only seen in one place on the S.W. slopes of the mountain,
where they were fairly plentiful and evidently breeding.
20. CoxruspasseR EQuES (Hartl.).
¢. Langora, eight miles from Taveita, April 1887.
This species is new to the British Museum.
21. CorruspasseR XANTHOMELAS (Riipp.).
3. Shot between Taveita and Moshi, April 1887.
Fairly plentiful.
+ 22.‘ PLoceus sacKsonI, sp. n. (Plate VII.)
Adult male. Futire head and neck jet-black ; back uniform
bright yellow, with an olive shade on a portion of the upper
tail-coverts ; wings brownish black, the least series of coverts
browner and narrowly edged with yellowish olive, the other
feathers edged with bright yellow, broadest at the ends of the
median coverts and the inner half of the greater coverts and
quills ; tail yellowish olive, the feathers broadly edged with
pale yellow on their inner webs; under surface of the body
deep chestnut, passing into bright yellow down the centre of
the abdomen and on the thighs; under tail-coverts rufous
yellow ; axillaries, under wing-coverts, and broad inner mar-
gins to the quills bright yellow; bill black; legs pale fleshy
brown. Total length 5:3 inches, culmen 0°55, wing 2°8, tail
1:9, tarsus 0°85.
The type specimen; although no sex nor date is recorded,
it is evidently an adult male in full plumage.
[ This species belongs to the stout-billed, black-headed group
of Weavers, and its affinities appear to be mostly with P. dimi-
diatus, P. badius, and P. capitalis, from all of which it differs
in the black of the head extending over the whole of the throat,
and from P. capitals, moreover, in its deep chestnut chest ;
from P. badius in the absence of chestnut on the upper
parts, and from P. dimidiatus, possibly its nearest ally, in the
chestnut of the breast extending over the flanks and shading
the under tail-coverts.—G. E. 8. ]
294. Capt. G. E. Shelley on
Little credit is due to me for having brought this new
species to light, as the specimen was brought to me by alittle
Taveita boy, tied by the legs along with several others of the
common yellow species, and was the only one that I kept, as
all the rest had had their tails pulled out.
23. AMBLYOSPIZA UNICOLOR (Fisch. et Reichen.).
3 °. Both shot on the banks of the Habari river in thick
bush. The only ones I saw.
24, CoRVULTUR ALBICOLLIS,
This large Raven is common in the Kilima-njaro mountain-
district. When I was at Kidudwi, on the river Wami, some
of them came to my camp every day to feed on the scraps and
offal.
25. Cina capensis (Linn.).
Very common between Taveita and Kaké. About 10.30
A.M. 1mmense numbers used to come to drink close to my
camp on the Habari river. They sat so close together on
the low bushes that at one shot I obtained ten specimens.
26. PrerocLes Exustus, T'emm.
3 ¢. Only seen in one place, at a camp on the Useri
river in June 1887. Here the plains were very sandy and
stony. Although there was plenty of water about, these birds
appeared to have one favourite drinking-place, where, about
9 a.m., they, together with the other two species, came in
hundreds. This species I did not notice in such large flocks
as P. gutturalis, but generally in companies of from 6 to 20
individuals.
27. PrEROCLES GUTTURALIS, Smith.
I only saw this species in the dry sandy and stony plains
near the Useri river. At their drinking-hour, about 9 a.M.,
they assembled in large flocks of from 40 to 50, but when
flushed in the open plains were generally found in small
flocks of from 8 to 10.
28. Prerocies pEcor \tTUws, Cab.
More plentiful than either of the other species. I saw it
in great numbers in three places—Langora, Rombo (Simba
Birds from Eastern Africa. 295.
camp), and on the Useri river. At all three places, about
9 a.m. was their usual drinking-hour. I found three nests
of this species in the open plains on the Useri river in June
1887.
29. NuMIDA PUCHERANT, Hartl.
Obained in the forest outside Kaké, where it was fairly
plentiful, but difficult to shoot on account of the dense under-
wood. I also heard it in Taveita, but never saw it.
30. PreRNISTES CLAPPERTONI (Children).
Very common at Taveita. Also common on the coast at
Merereni. This bird affords capital sport, but is difficult to
flush.
31. BALBARICA CHRYSOPELARGUS (Licht.).
My specimen was shot in a lagoon (ziwa) below Rombo.
I always observed this Crane in pairs.
B. Species from the district of Lamu.
1. AcciprITeER MINULLUs (Daud.).
S$. Manda Island.
Cere and bare skin in front of the eyes greenish yellow.
Eyelids bright yellow; beak black, fading into horn-blue
at base ; legs yellow.
Shot in the act of carrying off a small Quail.
2. Mitvus micrans (Bodd.).
Taka, opposite the island of Patta, north of Manda Bay.
Trides brown. Common in and round about every village
on the coast, with the exception of Zanzibar, where I never
remember having seen one.
3. TINNUNCULUS ALAUDARIUS (Gm.).
Common, especially near shambas, 7. e. cultivated patches.
4, DENDROPICUS CARDINALIS (Gm.).
Jipi and Manda Island.
& 9. May 21, 1886. Manda Island.
ene. Japi, 18.8. 85.
Irides crimson ; legs olive-green. Stomachs contained
larve.
296 S / Capt. G. E. Shelley on
5. Campéruera Nusica (Gm.).
¢. Mashundwani, 10. 9. 85.
@. Mashundwani, 9. 9. 85.
Irides crimson. Stomachs contained maggots and ants.
Very common in the branching palm plantations.
6. BarBATULA AFFINIS, Reichen.
Two females. Manda Island, November.
Irides brown. Stomach contained red berries.
[As it is seldom that one has a chance of examining good
specimens of this species, 1 may remark that it is very close
to B. uropygialis, but differs in the pale marking of the
back of the head and mantle, and in the margins to a few of
the innermost quills being purer white with no shade of
yellow. ‘There is also an absence of the reddish-yellow rump.
Total length 3°7 inches, culmen 0°4, wing 2, tail 1-3, tarsus
0°55.—G. E. 8. ]
7. Merops nusicus, Gm.
g. Tangani, 24. 8. 85.
¢. Manda Island, 11. 6. 86.
Irides crimson. Stomachs contained grasshoppers, bees,
and wasps. [ound in fairly large flocks, but not so plenti-
fully as the next species.
8. Merops suPercitiosus, Linn.
g. Tangani, January 1885.
Irides crimson. Very common; found in large flocks.
Hundreds of these birds may be attracted to the gun almost
at any time by setting fire to the dry grass, when the air
becomes thick with the escaping grasshoppers and other
insects.
9. Me.irropHacus cyanostictus (Cab.).
3 6 ¢. Mpecatoni, January 1885.
Trides crimson. Seen also at Kilima-njaro.
10. CreryLe rupis (Linn.).
&. Mashundwani, 9. 9. 85.
Irides brown. Very common in the creeks in the dry
weather (November to April), but found chiefly on the lagoons
during the rams. Very common at Jipi.
Birds from Eastern Africa. 297
11. Atcrpo cyaNostiemus, Rupp.
Very common wherever there is water. Seen also at
Taveita.
12. Haucyon seMica#rvuea (Forsk.).
January 1885. Fungarthormbo.
Rare.
13. Hatcyon cHELIcUTENSIS (Stanley).
6. Tangani, 31. 8. 85.
9. Tangani, 24. 8. 85.
Irides brown. Very common. Stomachs contained grass-
hoppers. The female had two fwly formed eggs inside her,
The call of this bird is very plaimtive, and is the first note
to be heard in the morning and the last at night.
14, Hatcyon sENEGALENs!s (Linn.).
3 9. Manda Island, 17.5. 86.
Irides brown. Stomachs contained large grasshoppers.
These birds I generally noticed sitting in the shade of some
bush or tree commanding an open space where grasshoppers
&c. abound.
15. Irrisorn cyANoMELAS (Vieill.).
ge slecTl: 8b.
S. 30.5. 86.
Irides brown. Stomachs contained several large spiders.
Found a pair breeding in a hole of a tree in the Arusha
country, Kilima-njaro.
16. LopHocrros pEcKENI (Cab.).
3. Merereni, July 24, 1886.
Stomach contained some good-sized fruit-stones. Very
common amongst the acacia trees.
17. CoryTHAIx FISCHERI, Reichen.
$ 2. Kipungoni Creek, 138.1. 86.
Trides brown ; bill blood-red; eyelids coral-red ; legs olive-
black. ‘These are the only two specimens I saw or heard of
in the Lamu district, although this bird is plentiful between
Mombasa and Vanga further south, and quite common up
the river Wami opposite Zanzibar. Their call reminded me
much of that of the common Pheasant.
298 Capt. G. E. Shelley on
18. ScuizorHIs LEUCOGASTER, Rupp.
Three males, Merereni, July 24, 1886.
Very common amongst the acacia trees. Stomachs of
all contained yellow vegetable matter, I think the blossoms
of the acacia tree. ‘This bird was also plentiful in the
Kiliman-jaro district.
19. Curysococcyx cupreus (Bodd.).
o. Tangani, August 22, 1885.
20. Curysococcyx KLAast (Steph.).
d. Tangani, 24. 8. 85.
Irides crimson; eyelids coral-red. Plentiful in the
shambas.
21. Eurystomus arer (Lath.).
3. Tangani.
Irides brown; eyelids blue-grey.
22. Caprimuteus Mosamsicts, Peters.
?. Mashundwani, 9. 9. 85.
3 9. Manda Island, 1. 6. 86.
Very common everywhere. I found it breeding nearly all
the year round.
23. Cypse.us parvus, Licht.
& @. Tangani, 25. 8. 85.
Irides brown; stomachs contained small beetles, chiefly
wevils. This is the common Swift of the country. Both
these specimens were shot whilst clinging to the underside of
a cocoa-nut-tree leaf, apparently asleep.
24. PacHyprora oRIENTALIS (Heugl.).
3 2 ¢. Manda Island, 27. 5. 86.
Ivides bright yellow; bill black ; legs olive-black. Until
the 27th of May I found this bird decidedly scarce, but
came across a small flock of about fifteen on the edge of a
shamba in some acacia trees.
25. Muscicapa eGrisoua, Linn.
3. Manda Island. Inrides brown.
Birds from Eastern Africa. 299
26. TERPSIPHONE CRISTATA (Gm.).
3. Tangani, 28. 8. 85.
Eyelids blue-grey. Fairly plentiful in the mango trees.
27. ANDROPADUS FLAVESCENS, Hartl.
3. Manda Island, 1. 6. 86.
28. Turpus TEPHRONOTUS, Cab.
3. Tangani.
Irides brown ; bare skin round the eyes dull yellow. In
habits and song this Thrush is exactly like our Blackbird
(T. merula). :
29. SAXICOLA ISABELLINA (Pall.).
3. Manda Island, 15.11. 85. Irides brown ; legs blaek.
Found on the low cliffs. Scarce.
30. BRADYORNIS PALLIDUS (Miill.).
Two young males, Manda Island, 25. 6. 85.
Fungarthormbo, January 1885.
dl. Cicutapusa cuTrata (Heugl.).
od. Jipi.
Inides light brown.
62. SYLVIELLA MICRURA (Riipp.).
¢. Manda Island.
Trides light brown ; legs flesh-colour. Generally found
in pairs in the acacia trees.
33. CAMAROPTERA BREVIcAUDATA (Rupp.).
Manda Island.
Irides light brown ; legs flesh-colour. Call very much like
that of our Gold-crest. Very partial to the acacia trees.
34, Printa mystacea, Rupp.
2. Manda Island, 22. 6. 86.
Irides light brown ; legs flesh-colour. Stomach contained
a good-sized beetle.
35. CisTICOLA MARGINALIS (Heugl.).
Manda Island and Tangani.
Irides light brown ; legs flesh-colour. Stomachs contained
beetles, &e.
300 Capt. G. E. Shelley on
Very common in the long grass. In August 1885 they
were very plentiful at Tangani, but in either immature or
worn breeding-plumage.
36. ZosTEROPS KIRKI, Shelley.
3. Manda Island, 1. 6. 86.
Irides light brown ; legs light horn-blue. Stomach con-
tained a caterpillar 13 inch long.
37. CINNYRIS ALBIVENTRIS (Strickl.).
Manda Island, May 1886.
Very common all over the island, especially in the dense
low bush on the sides of the sand-hills along the shore.
I found several nests with eggs in May. The song is very
much like the first few notes of our Common Wren.
38. CINNYRIS KIRKI, Shelley.
Several specimens from Manda Island (May 1886), and
nest from Merereni.
Common, especially among the mango trees at Tangani.
The nest was found suspended on the extreme end of a small
branch of a mangrove bush, along the edge of a creek, in July
1886.
39. CINNYRIS VERREAUXI, Smith.
Two males, Manda Island, May 1886.
Fairly plentiful in the acacia trees.
40. ANTHREPTES HYPODILA (Jard.).
6. Manda Island, 17. 11. 85.
Not nearly so plentiful as Cinnyris albiventris aud C. kirki.
41. TreLepnonus JameEst, Shelley.
Two females, Manda Island, November 1835.
Very common in the thick bush. Ivides brown, with ten
white spots or specks round the edge of the pupil. Legs
light horn-blue.
This species is new to the British Museum.
42. Dryoscorus satin (Finsch & Hartl.).
¢. Tangani, 1. 9. 85.
?. Manda Island, 9. 6. 86.
Birds from Eastern Africa. 501
Very common. Irides crimson ; legs horn-blue. This
bird has a peculiar habit of snapping its wings together when
taking a short flight.
43. LANIARIUS POLIOCEPHALUS (Licht.).
Fungarthormbo, January 1885.
I saw only two specimens, both of which I shot, but one
was not preserved.
44, LANIARIUS SULPHUREIPECTUS (Less.).
6. Manda Island, 11.11. 85.
Irides brown ; legs light slaty blue. In November these
birds were very plentiful, but in the following May I only
saw two specimens.
45, Lanius caupatus, Cab.
Mashundwani, 9. 9, 85. Three specimens.
Very common everywhere. Found a nest with young
birds in it in a thorn bush in September 1885. Feeds
chiefly on grasshoppers. Generally three or four together.
Common also at Kilima-njaro.
46. SigmMopus TRIcOLOR (Gray).
6. Mashundwani, 11. 9. 85.
Shot out of a small flock in a mangrove swamp. This
bird was only wounded, and made a sharp snapping noise
with its bill when I went to pick it up.
47. Moracitya vipva, Sund.
Manda Island, 13. 11. 85.
48. ANTHUS RUFULUS, Vieill.
Two males, Manda Island (14. 11. 85 and 18. 5. 86).
Common. Found it breeding in May.
49, PyRRHULAUDA LeEuCoTIS (Stanley).
Manda Island, May 1886.
Very common. Found in large flocks along the top of the
low cliffs.
50. Crirmacra icTerRA (Cuy.).
¢@. Tangani, 31. 8. 85.
@. Manda Island, 29. 5. 86,
302 Capt. G. E. Shelley on
Irides brown. Stomach contained small seeds. Common
in the sha nbas.
51. Pyrinra MELBA (Linn.).
¢. Manda Island, 14. 11. 85.
2. Manda Island, 24. 5. 86.
Ivides pinky red ; bill of 3 blood-red. Plentiful near the
shambas.
52. VIDUA HYPOCHERINA, Verr.
Oe Pl, en Ooo:
Rare. Shot out of a large flock of Vidua principalis. Saw
one specimen at Kilima-njaro.
New to British Museum collection.
53. VibUA PRINCIPALIS (Linn.).
Tangani and Manda Island.
Bill vermilion ; legs black. Scarce on Manda Island, but
plentiful in the marshy ground on the mainland. This bird
is very pugnacious and will drive any other small birds away
from its haunts.
54, Vipua PARADISEA (Linn.).
3. Manda Island, 9. 5. 86.
Saw several specimens in May on Manda Island, but none
in November. I also saw it at Kilima-njaro.
55. PYROMELANA NIGRIVENTRIS (Cass.).
Manda Island.
56. PyRoMELANA DIADEMATA (Fisch. et Reichen.).
3. Jipi.
Common in the rice-fields in September 1885.
57. PLocrus MELANOXANTHUs (Cab.).
Manda Island.
The male has the irides crimson, the legs pimky flesh-
colour.
58. Piocreus nicgricrps (Layard).
¢. Tangani, 21. 8. 85.
Inides orange-red. Fairly plentiful.
Birds from Eastern Africa. ; 303
59. OrroLus auratus, Vieill.
6. Manda Island, 10. 6. 86.
Trides crimson. Fairly plentiful also on the mainland at
Tangani.
60. PHOLIDAUGES LEUCOGASTER (Gm.).
Manda Island.
Shot out of a large flock.
61. DitopHus cARUNCULATUS (Gm.).
3. Jipi, 22. 8. 85.
Shot out of an immense flock of several thousands.
62. Corvus scaPpuLatus, Daud.
3. Manda Island, 10. 6. 86.
Rare near Lamu, but very common up the river Wami
opposite Zanzibar.
63. TRERON WAKEFIELDI, Sharpe.
6. Tangani, 22. 8. 85.
Very common, both on the coast and at Taveita.
64, TuRTUR SEMITORQUATUS, Riipp.
6. Manda Island, 21. 5. 86.
Irides brown, with a narrow gold ring ; eyelids dull crimson.
Very common in the shambas.
65. CHALCOPELIA AFRA (Linn.).
9. Manda Island, 29. 5. 86.
Bill dull carmine ; legs purple-carmine. Very common on
the coast and at Kilima-njaro.
[This specimen belongs to the form C, chalcospilos (Wagl.).
—G. E. S.]
66. FRANCOLINUS GRANTI, Hartl.
gen lake 13212. 85.
2. Manda Island, 24. 5. 86.
This bird was very plentiful in November, in coveys of from
eight to ten, but very scarce in May.
67. CoTuRNIx DELEGORGEI (Del.).
3. Jipi, 21. 9. 85.
Plentiful. Very common at Kilima-njaro in January.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. a
304. Capt. G. E. Shelley on
68. LimnocoRax NIGER (Gm.).
3 9. Jipi, September 1885.
Irides crimson; bill pale green.
Very common.
69. PorpHyrio ALLENI (Thomps.).
6. Jipi, 15. 9. 85.
Trides brown.
The only specimen seen.
70. PARRA AFRICANA (Gm.).
&. Jipi.
Irides brown; shield on head pale grey; bill the same.
Very common on every lagoon.
71. ARDETTA ATRICAPILLA (Afzel.).
$. Tangani, 28. 8. 85.
Trides bright yellow ; upper mandible black ; lower greenish
yellow. Stomach contained grasshoppers.
I saw only two specimens of this Heron.
72. ARDETTA stTURMI (Wagl.).
&. Jipi, 26. 9. 85.
Q. Tangani, 21. 8. 85.
Irides of male brownish crimson, of female yellow.
Stomachs contained frogs.
73, ARDETTA MINUTA (Linn.).
Q. Jipi.
Irides yellow. The only specimen seen.
74. GLAREOLA OCULARIS, Verr.
3. Mashundwani, 11. 9. 85.
Shot out of an immense flock which flew over my camp
every night just at dusk.
Irides brown. Stomach and crop crammed almost to
bursting with beetles and tree-bugs.
75. Dromas arproxa, Payk.
Kipungani Creek, 8. 1. 86.
Very common in large flocks.
Birds from Eastern Africa. 305
76. CURSORIUS SENEGALENSIS (Licht.).
Kipungani, 10. 1. 86.
Generally found in twos and threes. I also shot one at
Kilima-njaro.
77. Hortoprerus sprnosus (Linn.).
2. dup, 20: 8. 85.
Plentiful.
78. AieraLitis GEorrroyi (Wagl.).
Two ¢. Manda Island, 13. 11. 85.
Common along the beach in November, but I saw none in
May.
79. ANGIALITIS ASIATICUS (Pall.).
Manda Island, 13. 11. 86.
The only one I saw.
80. AlciALrTis Monocottcus (Pall.).
Two females, Manda Island, November 1885.
Very common in small flocks in November. I saw none
in May.
81. AicrALiTIs HIATICULA (Linn.).
Very common on Manda Island.
82. ANGIALITIS TENELLUS (Hartl.).
3g. Manda Island, 18. 5. 86.
Always seen in pairs. I think they were undoubtedly
breeding.
83. AleraLitis PEcuARIA (Temm.).
Several specimens from Manda Island and Jipi.
Trides dark brown ; legs pale horn-blue.
These birds were undoubtedly breeding in May, as they
were always in pairs, and haunted the same spots on the
shore.
84. ANGIALITIS TRICOLLARIS (Vieill.).
3 Q. Jipi.
Irides pale brown ; eyelids orange; base of bill orange.
Decidedly rare. Generally found in pairs on the banks of
the large lagoons.
Z2
306 On Birds from Eastern Africa.
85. Trinca minuta, Leisler.
Jipi, Sept. 1885.
These birds, together with the Ringed Plover and Curlew
Sandpiper, congregated in large flocks on the sandy shores
of the lagoons at Jipi.
86. Trinca suBaRQquata (Giild.).
2. Jipi, September 1885.
Plentiful on the shores of the lagoons.
87. Hetopromas ocnropus (Linn.).
3. Jipi, September 1886.
Shot on the edge of a small pool in the bush. The only
one I saw.
88. GaLLInaco MAsor (Gm.).
Jipi, September 1885.
Very plentiful in the swampy rice-fields on the shores of
the lagoons.
89. Ruyncu#a capensis (Linn.).
Jipi, September.
Very common. I found several nests with eggs on the
shores of the lagoons.
90. Numenivs pHzorvs (Linn.).
Common in the creeks and along the shore in November.
Saw none in May.
The Curlew (N. arquata) was also very common in Novem-
ber, but Isaw none in May. It was quite as shy and difficult
to approach as in England.
91. HyprocuELipon nicrRa (Linn.).
Jipi, September 1885.
Shot on a lagoon.
92. Larus HEMPRICHI (Bp.).
Two males, Manda Island.
The commonest Gull along the coast.
93. CHENALOPEX £GyPTIACA (Linn.).
Occasionally seen in small flocks at Jipi.
On the Birds of the Snares Islands. 307
94. Nerrapus auritus (Bodd.).
3. Tangani, 19. 8. 85.
3. Jipig lor 9. Sd.
Irides brown ; bill yellow, tip black. I always came across
these birds in small family parties of from six to eight in
number, but I never succeeded in bagging an adult female.
95. Denprocyena vipvata (Linn.).
9. Tangani, 18. 8. 85.
Very common at both Tangani and Jipi in large flocks.
On September 17 I killed 18 of these Ducks at one discharge
of a 10-bore gun, as they sat huddled together on a small
promontory in the lagoon at Jipi.
96. PacILoNETTA ERYTHRORHYNCHA (Gm.).
6. Tangani, 20. 8. 85.
I shot only a few specimens of this Duck.
97. PopicErs CAPENSIS (Bp.).
Common on the lagoons at Jipi. I found several nests
with eggs in September.
98. PHALOCROCORAX AFRICANUS (Gm.),
6. Mashundwani, 9. 9. 85.
This bird was also very common at Jipi.
99. PLorus LEVAILLANTI, Licht.
3. Tangani, 28. 8. 85.
Irides yellowish brown. Stomach contained eight small
fishes, of the size and shape of small Crucian carp.
The Darter was common at Jipi.
XX VII.—On the Birds of the Snares Islands, New Zealand.
By Dr. O. Fivscu, Ph.D., H.M.B.O.U., &c.
Turoucu the kindness of Herr A. Reischek, an Austrian
taxidermist, well known for the last twelve years in New
Zealand as a zealous naturalist, I have received specimens of
two birds obtained by him on the Snares Islands during a
trip on board the Government steamer ‘ Stella.’ As I believe
308 On the Birds of the Snares Islands.
that these remote islands have not previously been visited by
any ornithologist, the following notes upon these birds may
be of interest.
Snares Islands consist of two small islands and several
rocks, which extend over a distance of one mile and a half
in adirection N.E. by E. and S.W. by W., about 62 miles
S.S.W. of Stewart’s Island, New Zealand. The north-
eastern, which is the larger island, is about one mile long
and half a mile wide, and is covered nearly all over with
trees. The ‘Stella’ arrived here on Jan. 23, 1888, and
found a difficult anchorage on the east side in 52 fathoms,
the only locality where anchoring was possible at all. The
visit made on shore was very short, as the sea was high and
the wind was blowing hard. So Herr Reischek obtained
only the two following birds :—
1. SpHENaAcUS FULVUS, Gray.
One male, agreeing pretty well with the descriptions of
G. R. Gray and Sir W. Buller, but the light eye-streak is
very indistinct, and the specimen is somewhat larger, as
shown in the following measurements :—
Long. tot. Al. Caud. ——-Rostr. Tars.
in. lin. in. lin, in. lin. lin. in. lin.
od. Snares Island .... 70 29 33 6 10
Four specimens from
South Island ...... = 2425 32-37 5 0 9-10
S. fulvus, from South
Island (Buller) .... “a0 2 5 40 4 ‘75
“The ‘ Utiks’ of New Zealand (S. punctatus and S. fulvus)
I have always observed in or near swamps, whereas this
Utik lives in trees,’ writes Herr Reischek, but “on the
Snares there is no swamp”! “TI did not see any Utiks on
Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, or Bounty Islands.” (Reis-
chek.)
2. Myromorra TRAVERSI, Bull.
One male of this uniform black species, hitherto known
only from the Chatham Islands, and agreeing in every respect
with specimens from that locality.
Mr. H. Seebohm on Merula torquata. 309
Long. tot. _— Al. Caud. Rostr. Tavs.
in, in. lu, in. lin, lin, in,
d. Snares Islands.... Bi 3 2 24 4 1
3. Chatham Islands. . 0 ow I4. 5 1
OF Dittowe waeeats wees 0 30 24 5 1
“Several specimens of ‘Tomtit’ observed by me on the
Snares were of this black form. In manners they resemble
Petroica toitoi.” (Reischek.)
“On the Auckland Islands I observed Petroica macro-
cephala, the species of the North Island of New Zealand.”
(Reischek.)
Besides the two species above mentioned, Herr Reischek
observed on the Snares Islands the following birds, accord-
ing to his determinations :—
+8. STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS.
On the rocks, feeding on young Penguins.
4. DIOoMEDEA CHLORORHYNCHA.
~—- 5. PurFinus TRISTIS.
“ Lives in holes.” (Reischek.)
+ 6. Daprion CAPENSE.
7. HaLopRoMA URINATRIX.
“These two species are very common in the sea round the
islands.” (Reischek.)
8. EupyPTES PACHYRHYNCHUS.
I saw thousands of this species, jumping over the rocks,
and fishing in the sea to feed their young ones, which were
nearly full-grown.
XXVIII.—On Merula torquata and its Geographical Races.
By Henry Sersoum.
Caristian Lupwic BreumM, commonly known as Pastor
Brehm, in contradistinction to his son Alfred Ernest Brehm,
described so many supposed new species and subspecies of
European birds that recent ornithologists have very justly
refused to take any notice of his writings, or to encumber the
literature with his useless synonyms. In nine cases out of
310 Mr. H. Seebohm on Merula torquata.
ten the variation from the normal type was only an example
of individual variation; but here and there he accidentally
described an example belonging to a new species, or an
unrecognized geographical race. Not that the slightest
credit attaches to Brehm for these happy accidents ; and so
far from “the fashion to sneer at the species and subspecies ”’
of this writer being an “ unfortunate ” one, and the “ ignor-
ing of his names without further investigation ” being an
“injustice,” one can only congratulate ornithologists that
most of them, his compatriots included, have fortunately
taken so just a view of his merit. There is no merit in de-
scribing even a good species. Darwin was perfectly right
when he wrote (‘ Life and Letters,’ 1. p. 371), “I think a
very wrong spirit runs through all natural history, as if
some merit was due to a man for merely naming and defining
a species; I think scarcely any or none is due; if he works
out minutely and anatomically any one species, or syste-
matically a whole group, credit is due, but I must think the
mere defining a species is nothing.” It is not very easy to
estimate the amount of discredit which attaches to a man
who described perhaps five hundred bad species. Brehm
described no fewer than six species and subspecies of the
Ring Ouzel, Merula torquata, to which he gave the names
Merula alpestris, M. vociferans, M. maculata, M. insignis,
M. montana, and M. collaris; and of these Dr. Stejneger
expresses the opinion (Proc. United States Nat. Mus. 1886,
p. 365) that two must be regarded as distinct species.
For the last year or more I have been accumulating evi-
dence on this interesting question, and I have arrived at
the following results :—
The Ring Ouzel may be subdivided into at least three local
races; but intermediate forms between them occur so often
that none of the three can be regarded as more than sub-
specifically distinct. The British, Vosges, and Scandinavian
form may be regarded as the typical one. In Central Europe,
in the pine regions of the Carpathians and their outlying
ranges in Bohemia &c., in the Alps, the Apennines, the
Pyrenees, and the Spanish Sierras, M. torquata alpestris
Mr. H. Seebohm on Merula torquata. sll
occurs, which differs from the typical form in having the
white on the margin of the wing-coverts much more developed,
in having broad white margins and white centres to the
feathers of the underparts, and in having nearly white axil-
laries. Intermediate forms occur both in Norway and
Sweden. An example from the former locality in the
British Museum, and one from the latter locality in Dresser’s
collection, have white centres to many of the flank-feathers.
In examples from the Caucasus and Persia the white on the
axillaries and on the wing-coverts is still more pronounced,
whilst on the underparts that on the margins of the feathers
is less pronounced, and that in the centre altogether absent.
This form might be called M. torquata orientalis.
It is rather remarkable that these facts should have been
unrecorded for so long a time ; but the extreme rarity of speci-
mens from continental Europe in the collections of British
ornithologists is not the only explanation. The Blackbird,
Merula merula, has a black bill for the first winter of its life,
but ever afterwards its bill is more or less yellow. It has
been foolishly taken for granted that corresponding changes
take place in the Ring Ouzel.
This does not seem to be the case. Of thirty-six skins of
male Ring Ouzels, no British-killed autumn example has a
yellow bill, and only one continental example with white
centres to the feathers has a black, or almost black, one. The
only conclusion I can draw is that M. torquata alpestris,
like our Blackbird, having once acquired its yellow bill,
never loses it, whilst the typical form acquires a black bill
every autumn. It can hardly be supposed that twelve skins
of birds with yellow bills and white centres to the feathers
(which are all the male winter-killed examples of the conti-
nental form that [ have been able to collect) should happen
to be all, but one, adult birds, whilst eleven skins with black
bills and no white centres to the feathers (which are all the
winter-killed examples of the typical form that I have been
able to collect) should all happen to be young birds.
Dr. Stejneger is to be congratulated upon the rediscovery *
* Of. Stejneger, Proc. U.S. N. M. 1886, p. 365.
3812 Mr. H. Seebohm on
of Merula torquata alpestris. Professor Newton will doubt-
less plead that a ‘ History of British Birds’ is not the place in
which to expect a notice of a continental species ; but this
plea will not avail Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser, or myself.
I must confess that, had not my blunder been pointed out, I
should have redescribed the continental form as the winter
plumage of the bird which breeds in our islands,
XX1IX.—On Phasianus torquatus and its Allies.
By Henry Sresoum.
RatHer more than a year ago I succeeded in completing my
series of specimens of the six races of which the Common
Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, may be regarded as the type,
and I wrote a short paper (Ibis, 1887, pp. 168-173) describing
their characters, affinities, and geographical distribution.
I have now been fortunate enough to secure examples of
six out of the seven races of which the Siberian Pheasant,
Phasianus torquatus, may be regarded as the type. Of
P. elegans 1 have not even seen an example, and rely for a
diagnosis of its characters upon Elliot’s plate and description.
The Siberian Pheasant and its allied races are only found
east of the meridian of Calcutta. They differ from the Com-
mon Pheasant and its allied races, which are only found west
of that line, in the following particulars :—The predominant
colour of the rump and upper tail-coverts is green instead of
red, and the wing-coverts are lavender-grey instead of white
or red. In my former paper I added four other characters,
founded upon the colour of the mantle and crown, the width
of the cross bars on the tail-feathers, and the predominant
colour of the latter. Now that I have had an opportunity
of examining examples of the two new species of Pheasant
obtained by Prjevalsky, I find that the last-mentioned cha-
racters do not apply to them.
Typical examples of the seven races of Phasianus torquatus
may be distinguished as follows :—
Phasianus torquatus and its Allies. 313
Ker einion \ Flank-feathers green, with con-
Serna er } cealed black bases.
2) eas Flank-feathers creamy white
A white ring round (formosanus .. | . ee te 4
the neck,and white ) {with black tips.
Fisnlc-feathens dull (O72@US «++ |
Bay Ver 1 » ,
buff, with black > Very little green on the breast.
tips. decollatus .
: SU AUCKY.« < .m.
Predominant colour f J
of tail chestnut.
Flank-feathers glossy? vlangali...... es uniform pale chest-
chestnut, with ] | nut,
black tips. Go
—~ PHASIANUS VERSICOLOR.
This Pheasant is found in all the Japanese islands, with
the exception of Yezo, the most northerly one.
It is easily diagnosed by its green flanks.
Of the seven races this is much the most distinct, and it is
impossible to say to which of the others it is nearest allied.
— PHASIANUS FORMOSANUS,
This Pheasant is confined to the island of Formosa.
It requires two characters to diagnose it—neck with a white
ring round it, and flank-feathers creamy white, with the usual
dark tips.
It is somewhat doubtfully distinct from P. torguatus, but
it has broader dark margins to the breast-feathers than any
example of P. torquatus which I have seen, a peculiarity
found also in P. decollatus and P. strauchi.
—PHASIANUS TORQUATUS.
This Pheasant has the widest range of any of its allies,
extending from the Lower Amoor, through Manchuria, to
Eastern China, where it is found as far south as Chang-shi
and Canton.
It is easily diagnosed by two characters—neck with a white
ring round it, and flank-feathers buff, with the usual black
tips.
As might be expected from its wide range, it varies some-
what in colour in different localities. Examples from the
314 Mr. H. Seebohm on
Corea have the ground-colour of the mantle and flanks a
paler buff than usual, but they do not approach P. formo-
sanus in having any wider dark margins than is usual on the
breast-feathers. The feathers of the upper mantle also differ
very considerably ; the centres are white in an example from
the Amoor, and black with a narrow white shaft-streak in
examples from Northern and Central China; but other
examples are intermediate in this respect. This form is
unquestionably most nearly allied to P. formosanus, and of
those races which have no white collar it appears to be most
nearly allied to P. decollatus.
—PHASIANUS DECOLLATUS.
The type of this Pheasant in my collection was obtained
by Swinhoe in Eastern Setchuen, and there is an example in
the Paris Museum from Mekong, in South-eastern Tibet.
It may be distinguished from its near allies by the posses-
sion of two characters—flank-feathers buff, with the usual
nearly black tips, but with little or no metallic gloss, and no
white ring round the neck.
It appears to be an intermediate form between P. torquatus
and P. strauchi. From the former it not only differs in
having no ring round the neck, but in having a paler mantle,
somewhat paler flanks, and broader dark margins to the
breast-feathers.
—PHASIANUS STRAUCHI.
This Pheasant was originally described from examples
obtained by Gen. Prjevalsky in Kansu, in the extreme north-
west of China; but the three examples in the Paris Museum,
obtamed by PAbbé David in Moupin, in Eastern Tibet,
must, I think, also be referred to this race.
It may be recognized by its combination of the two cha-
racters,—flanks chestnut-red, with the usual dark tips, and
with a high degree of metallic gloss, but breast with very
little green on it. Its dark glossy flanks make it a very
handsome bird, though it has no white ring round the neck.
It appears to be nearest allied to P. decollatus, but the
Phasianus torquatus and its Allies. 315
more rufous tail and flanks apparently denote affinity with
P. viangali and P. elegans.
—PHASIANUS VLANGALI.
This Pheasant is only known from examples obtained by
Prjevalsky in Zaidam, west of Koko Nor, in North-eastern
Tibet.
It may at once be recognized by its uniform pale chestnut
scapulars.
It is nearest allied to P. strauchi and P. elegans, having
the preponderance of green on the breast so characteristic of
the latter, but its absence on the mantle so conspicuous in
the former.
—PHASIANUS ELEGANS.
This Pheasant inhabits Yun-nan, whence it was described
by Anderson under the name of P. sladeni. According to
Elhot it ranges northwards into South Setchuen.
Its metallic golden chestnut flanks, spotted with glossy
black (with purple or green reflexions), and its chestnut tail
(barred with black), distinguish it from all its allies, except
from P. strauchi and P. vlangah. From the former it is
easily distinguished by its green breast, and from the latter
by the black, white, and green on its scapulars.
It is nearest related to P. vlangali, and more distantly to
P. strauchi, Some ornithologists have regarded it as a cross
between P. versicolor (presumably imported into Setchuen
from Japan for the purpose) and P. decollatus; but it is
scarcely possible that the “deep chestnut-red ” of the tail of
P. elegans could have been produced by a cross between the
olive-grey of that of P. versicolor and the dark ochre of that
of P. decollatus.
Many of these races are known to interbreed freely, and
there can be no doubt that all of them would do so, and
produce fertile offspring, whenever they had the opportunity.
There is in the gallery of the British Museum a Pheasant
which was presented to the National Collection by the late
J. R. Reeves, and which was brought alive from China and
died in the gardens of the Zoological Society in 1839. It
316 Mr. 8. Bligh on Motacilla melanope.
appears to be an intermediate form between P. vlangali and -
P. sladeni, differing from the former in having the scapulars
dark chestnut and the inner flanks between the golden chest-
nut of the outer flanks and the green of the abdomen purple.
In the latter character it agrees with Anderson’s description
of P. sladeni, but it has no dark margins to the scapulars
or interscapulars, which are said to be black in P. sladeni
and green in P. elegans. Without seeing an example of the
latter it is difficult to determine whether the British-Museum
example belongs to a distinct race from P. sladeni or P. ele-
gans, or whether it and P. elegans are two quadroons between
P. olangali and P. sladeni, or whether it, P. elegans, and
P. sladeni merely represent individual variations unconnected
with geographical distribution.
XXX.—On Hirundo rustica and Motacilla melanope in
Ceylon. By Samuret Brien. (Communicated by Jonn
Henry Gurney.)
On 24th November, 1887, I was detained for the night, in
consequence of a ford being impassable, at a rest-house about
ten miles from Coslanda; the day was wet, but I kept on
the look-out for birds, and towards evening was attracted by
seeing several Wagtails (Motacilla melanope) on the top of a
low bazaar-building (a native shop); in a few minutes the
number was doubled, and by this time small troops of them
kept passing the rest-house, and other flocks were gathering
from all sides, till thousands had collected ; Swallows (Hi-
rundo rustica) then began to arrive in flocks, and all com-
menced sweeping round over a small garden of native coffee
of an acre or two in extent.
As the garden partly belonged to the rest-house keeper, I
called him and asked him about the birds; he told me that
they came there all the last cold season, for the first time, to
roost in the coffee.
By this time a vast swarm of the two species had arrived
and it was getting dusky. The rest-house keeper sent a boy
to frighten up those that had settled; they went up ina
On a new Species of Emberiza. 317
cloud, and the rustling of their tiny wings was distinctly
heard by me a hundred yards off; they rose in a cupola-
shaped mass, and were as thick as bees in a swarm; there
must have been 30,000 or 40,000 birds on the wing at that
moment, the Wagtails forming, as I estimated, about a third
or fourth of the number.
The boy was called away, and soon all the birds descended
before it was quite dark ; when settled, the Swallows kept up
an incessant simmering chirping for some time, but I could
not hear a Wagtail’s note at all.
The sight was a wonderful one; at daylight the birds all
departed very quickly and quietly.
XXXI.— Description @une nouvelle Espéce du Genre
Emberiza. Par L. Taczanowsk1.
(Plate VIIL.)
EMBERIZA JANKOWSKII, sp. nov. (Plate VIIT.)
E. supra rufa, interscapulio maculis nigris latissimis vario ;
supercilus latis, fascia genali, gula colloque antico supero
albis ; loris mystacibusque malaribus fusco-castaneis ;
area magna auriculari grisea ; lateribus colli cinereis ;
regione jugulari pectoreque toto pallide cinerascentibus ;
abdomine medio albicante, area mediana magna ob-
secure castanea; lateribus pectoris rufis, hypochondriis
ochraceo-fulvis, subeaudalibus pallidioribus; alis nigrican-
tibus, tectricibus minoribus cinereo late limbatis, mediis
et majoribus pogonio externo rufo, apice albo; remigibus
primariis albido, secundariis et tertiariis rufo margi-
natis ; cauda nigra, pogonio externo rectricum dimidio
basali vivide rufo, rectricibus lateralibus binis partim
albis.
g ad. Couleur générale des parties supérieures du corps est
rousse, tirant un peu au rougeatre brique, 4 sommet de la
téte distinctement plus obscur et varié d’un certain nombre
de stries noiratres, trés petites, terminales dans les plumes, les
plus distinctes sur le cervix ; le gris est dominant sur le devant
méme du front, les autres plumes du sommet de la téte trés
peu bordées d’une nuance pale ; les plumes de la nuque et du
318 M. Taczanowski on a
devant méme du dos terminées largement par une bordure
fauve roussitre pale, les plumes du dos inférieur et du crou-
pion sans bordures pareilles, qui ne se manifestent de nouveau
que sur les tectrices supérieures de la queue et sur les scapu-
laires ; la région interscapulaire est traversée par une bande
large au milieu, atténuce surles deux cotés, composée de grosses
’ stries noires médiaires dans les plumes, dont les bords latéraux
sont largement d’un fauve rougeatre et sur quelques unes des
plumes d’un fauve jaundtre. Sur les cdtés de la téte la mode
de la coloration est semblable a celui de l’H. cioides, Brandt,
mais représenté par les couleurs différentes ; le blanc occupe
une large raie sourcilitre commengant finement sur les cétés
du front et élargie fortement en arriére de l’ceil, et par une large
bande génale commengant au dessous des lores et descendant
sur la partie antérieure des cotés du cou; le marron obscur
occupe les lores et une moustache malaire assez large, dont
la base des plumes est noiratre ; l’ceil méme entouré d’une
fine bordure d’un marron foncé; la grosse tache auriculaire
est grise, de la méme forme que la tache marron del’ E. ciotdes.
La gorge et le haut du devant du cou sont d’un blanc pur,
région jugulaire et la poitrine d’une nuancé cendré grisdtre
trés légére ; milieu de abdomen blanchatre avec une grosse
tache médiane oblongue d’un marron foncé (longue de 24,
large d’1 centim.) ; cdtés mémes de la poitrine sont d’un
roux un peu plus pale que celui du dos, cdtés de Vabdomen
d’un fauve roussitre pale, les souscaudales un peu plus pales.
Ailes noiratres, les petites tectrices alaires bordées largement
de cendré ; les bordures externes des tectrices moyennes et
des grandes rousses, avec un liseré externe fauve ; la bordure
terminale de ces tectrices largement blanche sur les deux
barbes ; bordures externes des rémiges primaires fines blanch-
Atres passant au roussitre vers la base des pennes, celles des
secondaires rousses passant au blanchatre vers l’extrémité ;
dans les rémiges tertiaires les bordures sont plus larges, rousses
bordées 4 Pextérieur de fauve pale; barbes internes des rémiges
bordées de blane dans les trois quarts basals ; sousalaires et
axillaires blanches, les premieres & disque gris. Queue d’un
noir brunatre a barbe externe des rectrices longuement rousse
new Species of Emberiza. 319
dans leur moitié basilaire, puis passant en une fine bordure
blanchatre ; dans la rectrice externe toute la barbe externe est
blanche, et ce n’est qwaupreés de la base méme que le blanc
passe au roux; la premiére et la deuxiénne rectrices latérales
sont largement blanches dans leur partie terminale ; les deux
rectrices médianes sont dun gris brunatre A barbe externe
longuement rousse bordée de blanchatre & ligne médiane,
longuement noire le long de la baguette. Bec brun A man-
dibule inférieure plombée, V’extrémité noirdtre ; pieds d’un
carné jaunatre, a doigts d’une couleur sale; ongles noirs ; iris
brun foncé.
Longueur totale 168, aile 75, queue 70, bec 12,-tarse 19,
doigt médian 15, ongle 6°5 millimétres.
Unique exemplaire tué par M. Jankowski le 9 mars 1886,
aux environs de Sidemi, dans le voisinage de la frontiere de
la Corée et de la Mantchourie Chinoise. Je profite de cette
occasion pour dédier Vespéce & M. Michel Jankowski, qui
depuis vingt ans continue avec ardeur l’exploration de la faune
dans le pays Oussourien, d’ot. il nous a fourni un grand
nombre de matériaux trés précieux, et surtout pour lorni-
thologie et l’entomologie.
Observations. I] est étonnant qu’un oiseau aussi remarquable
ne fut trouvé pour la premiére fois qu’au bout de vingt ans
de Vexploration continuelle de ce pays, tant plus qwil n’a
pas été trouvé dans tous les pays environnants dont la faune
est assez bien connue. On sait parfaitement que les oiseaux
de ce genre se trouvent partout en nombre plus ou moins con-
sidérable et ne se dérobent pas devant |’ceil des explorateurs.
On ne peut pas méme supposer qu’on puisse prendre cette
espéce au premier coup d’ceil pour l’ Himdberiza cioides, sem-
blable et trés commun dans la contrée, car elle présente des
caractéres qui sont visibles 4 une distance assez éloignée.
Ow peut done se trouver la région principale de habitat de
ce bruant ?
SER. V.—VOL. VI. oA
320 Count T. Salvadori—Bonaparte’s
XXXII.—On the Dates of Publication of Bonaparte’s ‘ Icono-
grafia della Fauna Italica.2. By T. Satvaport, C.M.Z.S.
Ir appears that the exact dates of publication of the different
species of vertebrated animals described and figured in Bona-
parte’s ‘Iconografia della Fauna Italica’ are not generally
known. For this reason I have thought that it might be
useful to ornithologists to give, in the pages of ‘ The Ibis,’ a
chronological list of the birds described and figured by Bona-
parte in that work *.
“ Even in the most recent works, such as those of Dresser, Seebohm, and
Sharpe, as also in ‘The Code of Nomenclature and Check-list of North-
American Birds,’ the dates accompanying the quotations from Bona-
perte’s work are constantly wrong or uncertain. Thus, in the American
work mentioned above, the genus Otocorys, Bp., is quoted as established
in the ‘Introduzione alla Fauna Italica,’ with the date 1859, Leaving
aside for the present that the genus Otocoris (sic) was established in
another work of Bonaparte’s, I must state that the “ Introduzione ”’ to the
Birds of Bonaparte’s work was certainly not published in 1839, as I shall
show further on. Mr. Sharpe, in the quite recent 12th volume of the
‘ Catalogue of Birds,’ quotes the plate 54, representing Limberiza palustris,
with the date 1832, instead of 1854; the plate 58, representing Chlorospiza
incerta, with the date 1832, instead of 1839; the plates 55, 36, 37, repre-
senting respectively Lrythrospiza githaginea, Emberiza durazzi, and Frin-
gilla serinus, with the indeterminate dates 1832-1841. With the same
indeterminate dates is quoted by Mr. Sharpe the genus Lrythrospiza, Bp.,
which, by the way, was established by Bonaparte in a much earlier work
(‘Sulla seconda edizione del Regno Animale del Barone Cuvier, Osser-
vazioni,’ p. 80, 1830). Moreover it is equivalent to Carpodacus, Kaup
(1829) ; so that Erythrospiza, Bp., cannot be used, as it has been done by
Mr. Sharpe, as equivalent and in preference to Bucanetes, Cab.
Again, Mr. Seebohm, both in vol. v. of the ‘Catalogue of Birds’ and
in the very recent ‘Geographical Distribution of the Charadride,’ is not
very particular in the dates in quoting Bonaparte’s work. In fact, in his
last book, in the synonymy of Vanellus gregarius, p. 212, Mr. Seebohm
quotes Chettusia gregaria, Bp., Faun. Ital. Uce., Introd. p. 12, with the
date 1832, which is certainly wrong, as that is six years earlier than the
tirst capture of that species in Italy, which happened in 1838; in which
year also Bonaparte’s article concerning that species was published. In
Mr. Seebohm’s work the date of Bonaparte’s quotation ought to have
been 1841, as is rightly stated in the synonymy of the genus Vanellus,
given in the same work, p. 205.
‘Iconografia della Fauna Italica? 321
Bonaparte’s work, as we learn from what he says at the
end of the preface, was begun in 1832, and finished 2Ist
December, 1841. It is divided into three volumes, the first
of which contains the Mammals and the Birds, but the whole
work was published in 80 Parts or “ Fascicoli.” The dates of
each of these have been given by Bonaparte in the “ Specchio
generale dell’ Opera,” printed after the List of the Sub-
scribers, and the contents of the Parts cau be gathered from
the ‘ Indice distributivo ” of each volume.
The Parts or “ Fascicoli” containing descriptions of Birds
were published in the following sequence :—
Fasc. I. (1832).
Sylvia icterina (tom. i.)+, punt. 2,.tav. 28f, f. 2.
Sylvia hippolais (tom. 1.), punt. 2*, tav. 28, f. 1.
Pase. V1) (1833). £2, tatngg 8 2'2
Numenius tenuirostris (tom. 1.), punt. 8, tav. 42.
Fasc. III. (1833).
Fringilla cisalpina§ (tom. i.), punt. 14, 14*, tav. 36,
f.1, 2, 8. (gta Hakone orgy
Base: TV. (1833). pe eeee “ERG
Fringilla serinus (tom.i.), punt. 20, 20*, tav. 37,f. 1, 29.
Fase. VI. (1834). #. 4064 °/922"
Perdiz graeca (tom. 1.), punt. 29, 29%, tav. 39.
Fase. VII. (1834).
Motacilla flava (tom. 1.), punt. 36, 36%, tav. 31, f. 1.
Motacilla cinereocapilla (tom. i.), punt. (86*) ||, tav. 31,
i2:
t To complete the quotation I have added the indication of the volume.
{ The plates are not numbered in Bonaparte’s work, but in the ‘ Con-
spectus’ and other works he has attributed to them numbers, according
to the sequence indicated by him, for the binding, in the “ Indice distri-
butivo del Tomo Primo.”
§ Bonaparte, as I will explain under Chlorospiza incerta, has wrongly
stated, in the ‘‘ Indice distributivo del Tomo Primo,” that Fringilla cisalpina
was contained in Fasc. xxiv. Also the statement that Fringilla serinus
was published in Fasc. iii., instead of iv., is most likely wrong, but it
has no consequence as to the date.
|| I have enclosed between brackets the numbers which are not printed
at the bottom of the pages.
2A 2
322 Count T. Salvadori— Bonaparte’s
Motacilla melanocephala (tom. i.), punt. (36), tav. 31,
fed.
Fasc. VIII. (1834).
Emberiza pape (tom. i.), punt. 4], 41*, tav. 34,
1 083
Emberiza schenicola (tom. i.), tav. 34 (fig. capitis).
Fasc. IX. (1834).
Sylvia turdoides (tom. i.), punt. 46, 46%, tav. 29, f. 1.
Sylvia arundinacea (tom. i.}, punt. (46), tav. 29, f. 2.
Sylvia cetti (tom. 1.), punt. (46), tav. 29, f. 3.
Fasc. X. (1834).
Sylvia sibilatrix (tom. i.), punt. 50, tav. 27, f. 1
Sylvia trochilus (tom. 1.), punt. 50%, tav. 27, f. 2.
Sylvia rufa (tom. 1.), punt. (50), tav. 27, f. 3.
Sylvia bonellii (tom. i.), punt. (50), tav. 27, f. 4.
Fasc. XI. (1834).
Sylvia palustris (tom. 1.), punt. 53, tav. 30, f. 1.
Sylvia luscinioides (tom. 1.), punt. 53%, tav. 30, f. 2
Fasc. XV., XVI. (1836). 4-44 1814
Porphyrio antiquorum (tom. i.), punt. 72, 72%, tav. 44.
Fasc. X VIII. (1836).
Acridotheres roseus (tom. 1.), punt. 83, tav. 32, f. 1,2, 3.
Fasc. XXII. (1838).
Sitta europea (tom. 1.), punt. 111, 111%, tav. 26, f. 1.
Sitta syriaca (tom. i.), punt. (111), tav. 26, f. 2.
Merops egyptius eat 1) Uo 115 Cee 114), tav. 25,
fot
Merops apiaster (tom. 1.), ae 95, f 2.
Fasc. X XIII. (1838).
Sturnus unicolor (tom. 1.), punt. 113, tav. 23, f. 1
Sturnus vulgaris albo-varius (tom. 1.), tav. 23, f. 2.
Vanellus gregarius (tom. 1.), punt. 115, tav. 41. /
Fasc. XXIV. (1839). #. Aafeel “183
U/tL07 OSpPled LiCeTLA (tom. 1 1. iP punt. 122, tav. 38, fe ils ot
+ This species, in the “ Indice distributivo del Tomo Primo,” is indicated
‘ Iconograjia della Fauna Italica.’ 323
Fasc. XXV. (1839). 4% 4cbu “P29
Gallinago brehmi (tom. i.), punt. 127, tav. 43.
Fasc. XX VI. (1839). 4. 4le4 “7827”
Emberiza durazzi (tom. 1.), punt. 182, tav. 35, f. 1, 2.
Erythrospiza githaginea (tom. 1.), punt. (132), tav. 35,
f. 3.
Fasc. XX VII. (1840).
Xema lambruschinii (tom. i.), punt. 135, 1385* (lege 186,
136%). tav. 45.
Xema ridibundum (tom. i.), tav. 45, f. a.
Xema melanocephalum (tom. i.), tav. 45, f. b.
Fasc. XX VIII. (1840). 7 --4ete4 +49
Xema capistratum (tom. i.), punt. 142, tav. 46, f. 1.
Xema minutum (tom. 1.), tav. 46, f. 2.
Pterocles alchata (tom. 1.), punt. 143, tav. 40. #
Fasc. XXIX. (1840).
Falco eleonore (tom. 1.), punt. 150, tav. 24.
Fasc. XXX. (1841).
Querquedula angustirostris (tom. 1.), punt. 151, tav. 47,
deol Ae
Callichen rufinus (tom. i.), tav. 47, f. 3 (fig. capitis).
Besides the descriptions of the species contaimed in the
“ fascicoli,” Bonaparte published an ‘ Introduzione ”’ to the
Birds of his work; in this “ Introduzione”’ all the Italian
birds then known to Bonaparte were mentioned, and at
least one genus, Chetiusia, was proposed, apparently for the
first time+. It is not without interest to fix the exact date of
publication of the ‘‘ Introduzione.”
as contained in “fascicolo” iv., published in 1883, while Fringilla
cisalpina is given as contained in “ fascicolo” xxiv.; but from internal
evidence it is clear that a mistake has occurred. In fact, in the synonymy
of Chlorospiza incerta, Bonaparte quotes the third volume of Temminck’s
‘Manuel d@’Ornithologie,’ which is dated 1835, so that it is evident that
Chlorospiza incerta could not have been contained in the 4th “ faseicolo,”
which was published in 18383, Also from the sequence of the “ pun-
tate” we come to the same conclusion.
+ It is worth while noticing that the name Chetlusia gregaria was first
324 Count T. Salvadori—Bonaparte’s ‘ Iconografia’ &c.
It is generally stated that it was published in 1839*;
but this date is certainly wrong. Bonaparte’s ‘ Introdu-
zione”” bears no date ef any sort, but from internal evidence,
as Prof. Newton has rightly noted (Yarrell’s Brit. B. i. p. 613,
note), it is quite certain that it was not published before
1840, as in it mention is made of some generic and specific
names, published for the first time by Keyserling and Blasius
in the ‘ Wirbelthiere Europa’s ’+, a work published in 1840,
not before the month of May, as the Prospectus I have to
that work bears the date May 1840. From this it is quite
evident that Bonaparte’s “ Introduzione”? must have been
published some time after that date, and I feel pretty sure
that it did not appear till 1841. In fact, in the last para-
graph of the ‘‘Introduzione”’ all the birds figured in the work
are mentioned, and as the last one described and figured, as
shown by the table (“ Indice distributivo del Tomo Primo”),
was Querquedula angustirostris t, which was contained in
the 380th or last part or “ fascicolo,’ published, according
to the author’s statement (‘Specchio generale dell’ Opera’),
in 1841, it follows that the “ Introduzione ” must have been
published after the completion of the 30th or last part or
“fascicolo”’ of the work, and it is very natural that it should
have been so.
But, then, how is it that in Gray’s 2nd edition of the ‘ List
of Genera of Birds,’ published in 1841, the genus Chettusia,
Bp., is already mentioned? There is not much difficulty, I
think, in explaining this. Gray’s ‘ List,’ which, as I hear from
used by Bonaparte as the Ztalian name of Vanellus gregarius, when he
published the description and plate of this bird, in ‘“ fascicolo” xxiii., in
1838.
* ‘List of Brit. Birds, B. O. U.,’ p. 73; ‘Check-List of N. Am. B.’
p. 238, &c.
+t Bonaparte, besides mentioning the genus Simorhynchus, K. et Blas.,
and Larus leucocephalus, Boiss., as a synonym of L. lambruschinii (the
first established, and the second identified in Keyserling and Blasius’s
work), alludes to Durazzo’s ‘ Uccelli Liguri,’ which was published in
1840.
{ The figure of the head of Callichen rufinus is only additional to the
plate.
Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin. 325
Prof. Newton, was reviewed by Strickland in the January
number of the‘ Annals of Natural History ’ for 1842 (vol. vil.
p. 862), was most likely published in the later months of 1841;
and if Bonaparte’s ‘‘ Introduzione ” to the Birds was pub-
lished in the earlier months of the same year, Gray may have
had time to see it before the publication of his ‘ List.’
But, again, how was it that Gray in his ‘ List’ gave to the
genus Chetiusia, Bp., the date 1839? Unless Bonaparte
has published that generic name in some other work, which
we do not know%, the only explanation I can give is this :—
The Dedication of Bonaparte’s ‘ Iconografia’ to the Grand
Duke of Tuscany, Leopold II., which is placed after the
frontispiece of the first volume of the work, is dated 1839f,
and most likely Gray took that date for that of the “ Intro-
duzione”’ also.
I think that after all this we may be satisfied that the
“ Introduzione” to the Birds of Bonaparte’s ‘ Iconografia della
Fauna Italica’ was published in the same year in which the
work was completed, namely in 1841.
Turin, Zoological Museum, April 1888.
— XXXIII.— Notes on the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes
forstem). by PF. b. Scrater, M.A., PhD., PRS.
Tue interest which I have taken in the proposal to send cut
another exploring expedition to the Antarctic Seas has
induced me to look up what is known of the history of
the Emperor Penguin, the giant of the group to which it
belongs, and a characteristic torm of the little-known Ant-
arctic continent. So far as I can make out, this bird has
only been met with on tiree occasions,—(1) by Cook, in
* Also as regards the genus Olocorys, Bp., it is generally stated to
have been established in the “ Introduzione;” but I have found out quite
lately (Cf. ‘ Elenco degli Uccelli Italiani,’ p. 603) that it was proposed in
the ‘ Nuovi Annali delle Sc. Nat.’ (Bologna), ii. p. 407 (1889).
+ It seems that Bonaparte published the Dedication of his work to the
Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopold I1., on the occasion of the Meeting of
the Italian Savants held at Pisa, in 1839.
326 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin.
1774-75, during his second voyage, (2) by our Antarctic
Expedition in 1840-43, and (3) by the U.S. Exploring Expe-
dition under Commodore Wilkes, in 1840.
Whether any specimens of the Emperor Penguin were
brought home from Cook’s second voyage I have not been
able to ascertain ; but a coloured drawing was made, which is
now in the unpublished volume commonly called “ Forster’s
Icones inedite,” in the British Museum. This drawing was
reproduced by J. F. Miller in his ‘ Various Subjects of Natural
History’? (London, 1778), in the second edition of the same
work, in which the letterpress was written by Shaw (Miller’s
‘Cimelia Physica,’ London, 1796), and by J. R. Forster, in
his well-known article, “‘ Historia Aptenodyte,” published in
the ‘Comment. Soe. Reg. Gottingensis,’ in 1781.
Unfortunately, Forster united this Penguin to the “ King
Penguin,’ which had been previously described by Pen-
nant as the ‘ Patagonian Penguin” (Phil. Trans. lviii.
p. 91), and called it Apienodytes patachonica. It remained
thus confounded with its allied form until 1844, when the
examination of the specimens brought home by our Ant-
arctic Expedition enabled G. R. Gray to point out conclu-
sively the differences between them (Ann. Nat. Hist. xiii.
p. 3815). Gray very sensibly remarked that the name “‘pata-
chonica,” having been applied to two species, had become no
longer of any value as a specific term, and proposed to call
the present bird Aptenodytes forsteri, and the smaller species
(commonly called the “ King Penguin”’) Apienodytes pennanti.
Several modern authors, however, under the influence of
> have chosen rather to eall the
the craze for “ priority,’
Emperor Penguin Aptenodytes patachonica*, which, as the
bird has never been found in or near Patagonia, is not main-
tainable, even under the most stringent view of the laws of
the Stricklandian code.
The principal synonymy of this Penguin is as follows, so
far as I am acquainted with it :—
* Coues, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1872, p. 192; Schlegel, Mus. d.
P.-B., Urinatores, p. 8; and Sharpe, Zool. Erebus & Terror, Suppl.,
Birds, p. 38.
Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin. 327
APTENODYTES FORSTERI.
1778. Aptenodytes patagonica, Miller, Various Subjects of
Nat. Hist. pl. xxiii.
1781. Patagonian Pinguin, Pennant, Gen. of B. p. 66,
t. xiv. (not of Phil. Trans.).
1781. Aptenodytes patachonica, J. R. Forster, Comm. Soe.
R. Se. Gotting. i. p. 189, t. i.
1788. Aptenodytes patachonica, Gm. 8. N.1. p. 556 (part.).
1790. Aptenodytes patachonica, Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. p. 878
(part.).
1796. Pinguinaria patagonica, Shaw, in Miller’s Cim. Phys.
to XXL.
1844. Aptenodytes forstert, G. R. Gray, Ann. N. H. xiii.
p- 315.
1844. Aptenodytes patagonica, Licht. in Forst. Descr. An.
p. 347 (part.).
1844. Aptenodytes forstert, G. R. Gray, List of Gall.,Grall.
_ & Anseres, p. 156.
(856. Aptenodytes imperator, Bp. C. R. Acad. Se. Paris,
xh p77 9.
1858. Aptenodytes patachonica, Cassin, U.S. Explor. Exp.,
Birds, p. 349.
1847. Aptenodytes forsteri, Ross, Narr. Arct. Exp. ii. p. 159.
1867. Spheniscus patagonicus, Schlegel, Mus. d. P.-B. Uri-
natores, p. 3.
1872. Aptenodytes patagonica, Coues, Pr. Ac. Nat. Se.
Phil 1872; ps 192.
1875. Aptenodytes patachonica, Sharpe, Zool. Erebus &
Terror, Birds, Suppl. p. 38, pl. 31.
1879. Aptenodyte de Forster, A. Milne-Edwards, Ann. Se.
Nat. sér.6, Zool. ix., “ Recherches sur la Faune d. Rég. Austr.”
p. 39.
The specimens of this bird existing in museums and collec-
tions are, so far as I know, only nine or ten, namely :—
(1) Six examples in the British Museum, as enumerated in
Gray’s ‘Catalogue of the Galline, Gralle, and Anseres,’
published in 1844 (p. 156). Four of these specimens (three
adults and one young) are now mounted in the gallery. The
328 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin.
others are said to be among the skins. There is also a
skeleton, of which I shall say something further on. All
these specimens were received from the Antarctic Expedition.
(2) A fine mounted specimen in Sir Joseph Hooker’s
private collection, also procured during the Antarctic Expe-
dition, which, as is well known, he accompanied as Naturalist
and Assistant-Surgeon. Sir Joseph informs me, in reply to
my inquiries, that this specimen was taken on the Southern
Ice-pack in January 1842, in about lat. 65° 48'S., long.
157° 36’ W., and is one of those referred to in Ross’s ‘ Nar-
rative,’ vol. 1. p. 158.
(3) Two stuffed specimens in the Leyden Museum,—one
in imperfect plumage, and one young in down (see Schlegel,
Mus. d. P.-B. Urinatores, p. 3). The origin of these speci-
mens is not stated.
(4) One example in the U.S. National Museum, Wash-
ington, obtained during the United States Explormg Expe-
dition. (See Cassin, U.S. Expl. Exp., Mamm. & Orn. p. 349,
and Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1872, p. 192).
As regards the exact range of the Emperor Penguin, much
remains to be learned, but it appears to be now only found
on the shores of the Antarctic continent, and probably breeds
in the adjacent islands*.
In the time of Cook’s voyage it seems to have been met
with in South Georgia Island. Forster’s drawing (Icon.
ined. 81), to which I have referred above, is marked in pencil
(probably in his own handwriting) “ Jan. 17th, 1775.” On
reference to George Forster’s ‘ Narrative of Cook’s Second
Voyage’ (vol. 11. p. 528), we find that Tuesday, Jan. 17th,
1775, was the day on which Cook’s Expedition landed in
South Georgia, and the subjoined account of this Penguin is
there given :—
“ Here we likewise found a flock of about twenty Pen-
guins, of a much greater size than any we had hitherto seen :
they were 39 inches long, and weighed 40 pounds. Their
* In Possession Island (lat. 71° 56’, long. 171° 7’ E.) “ inconceivable
myriads of Penguins completely and densely covered the whole surface ”
(Ross's Narr. Ant. Exp. i. p. 189),
Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin. 329
belly was of a most enormous size, and covered with a
quantity of fat. An oval spot of bright yellow or lemon-
colour appears on each side of the head, and is edged with
black, the rest of the body being of a blackish-grey colour
on the whole back and upper side, and white on the belly,
under the fins, and all the fore part. These birds were so
dull as hardly to waddle from us: we easily overtook them
by ruuning, and knocked them down with sticks. When we
returned on board we found they were mentioned by that
great zoologist, Mr. Pennant, in the ‘ Phil. Trans.,’ by the
name of the Patagonian Penguins, and we likewise supposed
them to be the same species which the English at the Falk-
land Islands have named Yellow or King.”
It is singular, however, that the Great Penguin found in
South Georgia at the present day is said to be not the “ Em-
peror,” but the allied “ King”? Penguin (A. pennanti*),
In Gray’s list of the specimens of A. forsteri received by
the British Museum from the Antarctic Expedition, localities
are attached only in two cases—“‘d. Female, lat. 77° S.,
long. 180° E.,” and “jf. Very young, lat. 64° 8.” The first
of these localities is to the east of Victoria Land, under the
great perpendicular ice-barrier; the second cannot be ascer-
tained exactly without the longitude. But in Hoss’s ‘ Narra-
tive of the Expedition’ (vol. 1. p. 158), we find the fol-
lowing paragraph under date Janu. llth, 1842, when the
Expedition was in 156° W., €6° 65! S., to the east of Victoria
Land :—
“ During the last few days we saw many of the Great Pen-
euins, and several of them were caught and brought on board
alive; indeed it was a very difficult matter to kill them, and
a most cruel operation, until we resorted to hydrocyanic acid,
of which a tablespoonful effectually accomplished the purpose
in less than a minute. ‘These enormous birds varied in
weight from sixty to seventy-five pounds. The largest was
killed by the ‘Terror’s’ people, and weighed seventy-eight
* Cf. Pagenstecher’s “ Report on the Birds of South Georgia obtained
by the German Polar Commission of 1882-83,” in Berich. nat. Mus,
Hamburg, 1885, p. 16.
330 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin.
pounds. They are remarkably stupid, and allow you to
approach them as near as to strike them on the head with a
bludgeon, and sometimes, if knocked off the ice into the
water, they will almost immediately leap upon it again, as if
to attack you, but without the smallest means either of
offence or defence. They were first discovered during Cap-
tain Cook’s voyage to these regions, and the beautiful un-
published drawing of Forster, the naturalist, has supplied
the only figures and accounts which have been given to the
public, both by British and foreign writers on natural history.
Mr. Gray has, therefore, named it in the ‘ Zoology’ of our
voyage, Aptenodytes forsteri, of which we were fortunate in
bringing the first perfect specimens to England. Some of
these were preserved entire in casks of strong pickle, that
the physiologist and comparative anatomist might have an
opportunity of thoroughly examining the structure of this
wonderful creature. Its principal food consists of various
species of cancri and other crustaceous animals ; and in its
stomach we frequently found from two to ten pounds’ weight
of pebbles, consisting of granite, quartz, and trappean rocks.
Its capture afforded great amusement to our people, for when
alarmed and endeavouring to escape, it makes its way over
deep snow faster than they could follow it; by lying down
on its belly and impelling itself by its powerful feet, it slides
along upon the surface of the snow at a great pace, steadying
itself by extending its fin-like wings, which alternately touch
the ground on the side opposite to the propelling leg. ‘The
most successful of our hunters were Mr. Oakley and Mr.
Abernethy, as they were also in the capture of the scals,
which we met with in no great numbers.” a
Again, on Feb. 5th, 1841, in lat. 77° 18'S. and long.193° E.,
when the expedition was not far from the South Polar Ice-
barrier, we read (Ross’s Voy. i. p. 234) :—‘* We saw several
of the large Penguins, and three were brought on board;
they were very powerful birds, and we had some difficulty in
killmg them: each of the two larger weighed sixty-six
pounds, and the smallest fifty-seven pounds: their flesh is
very dark, and of a rank fishy flavour.”
Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin. 331
The specimen brought back by the U.S. Exploring Expe-
dition was obtained in lat. 65° 52! S., long. 150° 25! E., that
is, to the west of the spot above mentioned, but not very
far away.
On the whole, Victoria Land and adjacent seas may be
given as the only present ascertained locality of this bird.
M. A. Milne-Edwards, in his recent article on the Fauna
of the Antarctic Regions (Ann. Se. Nat. sér. 6, Zool. vol. 1x-),
seems inclined to minimize the specific differences between
this species and A. pennanti. But I think there can be no
doubt that the two birds are quite distinct, as species are
usually considered. Besides the size, the external structural
differences have been well pointed out by Gray and Coues
(Ul. ss. cc.). ‘The most obvious of them are—(1) The exten-
sion of the feathering over the rami of the lower mandible
in A. forsteri, whereas in A. pennanti the sides of the lower
mandible are-entirely naked. This is at once noticeable in
specimens of all ages. (2) The tarsi are feathered in 4.
forsteri, in A. pennanti they are naked. (3) The bill in
A. forsteri is relatively much shorter than in A. pennanti.
The differences in coloration of the two species are well
shown in the coloured plates in the Zoology of the ‘ Erebus ’
and ‘Terror.’ They are also correctly described by G. R.
Gray, as follows :—
A, forsteri.
Yellow of the sides of head pass-
ing insensibly into white on the
sides of neck, where it is divided
by a projecting point of the same
colour as the back.
Black under the throat short, and
divided in front in the middle by a
point of the white feathers of the
chest.
A, pennantt.
Yellow of the sides of head deep,
and passing at once into deep orange
on the chest, gradually becoming
white on the breast.
Black under the throat ending in
a blunt point on the chest.
In the British Museum I have had an opportunity of
making a comparison of examples of the skeletons of these
two Penguins which fully substantiate the external differ-
ences,
As will be seen by the figures (1 and 2, p. 332),
332 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin.
the bill of A. forsteri (fig. 2) is much shorter and broader
than that of A. pennanti (fig. 1).
Fig. 1. Fig. 2.
Fig. 1.—Upper surface of skull of A. pennanti, reduced 3,
Fig. 2.—Corresponding view of skull of A. forster?, reduced 3.
On comparing the two sterna together great differences are
at once observable. That of A. forsteri (fig. 4, p. 334) is very
much longer and broader, and generally larger.
Some of the principal measurements of these bones of the
two species are given in the subjoined table :—
A, forstert. A. pennanti,
inches. inches.
Total length of the skull from the point of the
beak to the base of the occiput ............ 7:0 75
Extreme width of the skull between the squa-
MOsalsy el oie ss wae tle & teks ner meee a ae ore 2:6 2-4
Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin. 333
Distance from the point of the bill to the proxi-
mal end of the nasal bones ...
Extreme length of the carina stern? in a aes
line along the ventral margin ..............
Extreme length of sternum from the nell Ge
cess to the middle point of the posterior border
A, fostert.
inches.
3:7
10-9
85°
A, pennantt,
inches.
45
8:2
61
The remaining bones show nearly as great discrepancies on
comparison ; in fact, if the skeletons of the two species were
only known as fessils, they might well have been referred
to different genera.
Hiss.
|
Upper view of sternum of 4. pennants, reduced 4.
334 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the Emperor Penguin.
Upper view of sternum of 4. forster?, reduced 3.
On the Classification of the Striges. 335
XXXIV.—On the Classification of the Striges. By Frank
E. Brepparp, M.A., F.Z.S., Prosector to the Zoological
Society of London.
TueEre are three important works which deal with the classi-
fication of the Striges from the anatomical standpoint. The
first of these is the treatise on Pterylography by Nitzsch*.
In this work Nitzsch describes the arrangement of the fea-
ther-tracts in a large number of Owls, and concludes that
the group is separable into two well-marked divisions. One
of these includes the genera Strix (termed by Nitazsch Hybris)
and Photodilus, which is not separated generically from Striz ;
to the other group he referred all the remaining genera of
Striges. Prof. A. Milne-Edwards, in his ‘ Oiseaux fossiles
de la France,’ gave a detailed osteological account of the
Striges, and showed that Nitzsch was justified in separating
Stri# from the rest}. Some years later M. Milne-Edwards f
published an illustrated account of the skeleton of Photodilus
badius, and pointed out that this Owl must be regarded as
intermediate in position between the Strigide and Bubonidee ;
the pterylographical characters are those of Striz, while the
osteology agrees with Budo and all other known genera
except Striz. In the same memoir M. Milne-Edwards de-
scribed the osteology of a Madagascar genus, Heliodilus ;
this account is repeated, with illustrations, in a later work §.
The description and figures prove that Hediodilus is a near
ally of Strix.
The more important osteological characters which separate
the Strigidee from the Bubonidie are recapitulated by Prof.
Newton in the ‘ Encyclopedia Britannica’ ||. They are briefly
* Pterylography. Inglish edition, by P. L. Sclater. Ray Soe.
+ Prof. Newton (Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds,’ 4th ed. vol. i. p. 148) states
that Messrs. Sclater and Salvin had already divided the Strigidee into two
families distinguished by the characters of the sternum.
¢ Nouv. Arch. d. Mus. sér. 3, t. i. (1878).
§ Grandidier & Milne-Edwards, ‘ Histoire Phys. Nat. et Polit. de Mada-
gascar, Oiseaux.’ Mr. Sharpe (P. Z. 5. 1879, p. 175) has pointed out
that in the serration of the middle claw /Zelodilus agrees with Sériz.
|| Article “ Owl,” vol. xviii. p. 88.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. 2B
336 Mr. F. E. Beddard on the
stated at the end of this paper (p. 340), with the addition of
others, of which I can find no particular description in the
memos cited.
1. Skul/-—The most obvious characters which distinguish
the skull of Strix from that of the remaining genera have
been pointed out by Milne-Edwards*; they are, firstly, the
greatly elongated and narrow form of the skull in Sérix
contrasted with the wide short skull of other types ; secondly,
the relatively great thickness of the bones which make up the
interorbital septum in Sérz# as compared with the extremely
thin interorbital septum of other Owls.
I find by a series of measurements of the skulls of the
following types :—
Strix flammea, Bubo bengalensis,
Strix sp., Syrnium indranee,
Asio mexicanus, Syrnium woodfordi,
Speotyto cunicularia, Ketupa javanica,
Athene noctua, Sceloglaux albifacies,
Bubo maximus, Nyctea nivea,
that while Striv has the narrowest skull (the proportion of
greatest breadth to length being in Stria sp. ine. as 37°5 : 62,
in Strix flammea 36: 56), the other genera show a progressive
widening of the skull; this culminates in Speotyto cunicu-~
laria, where the breadtn is to the length as 37:38. Ido
not give the exact measurements in the other species men-
tioned in the present list for the reason that such a table of
measurements would only be of value if it embraced the
results of a study of a larger number of species and of indi-
viduals. I may state, however, that I have examined a large
number of Owls’ skulls in the British-Museum collection,
including those of two other species of Striv (viz. S. perlata
and S. delicatula), and in no case do I find so long and narrow
a skull as in the genus Striz. It may be worth while men-
tioning that Sceloglaux albifacies has a skull which comes
nearer to that of Sérix in its relative proportions than do the
skulls of many other genera. The reason which leads me to
* Nouy. Arch. &e. p. 189.
Classification of the Striges. 337
lay some stress upon this fact is the opinion of Prof.
Newton* that this curious Owl may prove to be intermediate
between the Strigide and other Owls. I hope, however,
to be able, at some future time, to compare the skeleton of
Sceloglaux with that of Striv.
Prof. Milne-Edwards, in his memoir upon Photodilus,
shows plainly that this genus belongs to the Bubonine and
not to the Strigine group in the proportions of the skull and
in the possession of a flattened interorbital septum.
There is one feature in the skull of the Striges, serving to
distinguish the Strigide from the Bubonide, which has
apparently escaped the attention of Prof. Milne-Edwards.
SG
Hie. 1, Fig. -2.
Fig. 1.—Under surface of the skull of Strix flammea. ¥. Prefrontal
processes of the ethmoid ; W. Maxillo-palatines.
Fig, 2,—Under surface of the skull of Bubo bengalensis. (Lettering as
in fig. 1.)
In Strix (woodcut, fig. 1) the prefrontal processes of the
ethmoid are rounded and much swollen. In Budo (fig. 2),
“* Encyel. Brit., art. “Owl.”
2B2
338 My. F. E. Beddard on the
and in all other genera of Owls which I have had the
opportunity of studying, the same processes are thin, leaf-
like expansions*, as they are in the Accipitres Diurne.
With regard to the other points of difference in the skull,
I must refer the reader to Prof. Milne-Edwards’s memoir ;
the principal points are indicated in the table on p. 340 of
this paper.
Right foot of Strz flammea (nat. size).
2. Sternum. The characters of the sternum and of the
other parts of the skeleton have been so fully described by
* Tam disposed to think, from the illustrations of ZZeliodilus given by
Milne-Edwards (‘Histoire Phys. Nat. et Polit. de Madagascar, Oiseaux,’
Atlas i. pl. 36c. fig. 1), that the ethmoid processes of this Owl resemble
those of Bubo rather than those of Striv.
Classification of the Striges. 339
Milne-Edwards that I find myself unable to add anything to
what he has said, except with regard to the bones of the foot.
3. Foot.—A comparison of the relative length of the pha-
langes of the third digit appears to afford another character
for the discrimination of the Striginz and Buboninee.
In Stria (fig. 3, A) the first phalanx of that digit is markedly
shorter than the second phalanx.
Fig. 4.
P Ars
dou b / Richt foot of Bubo bengalensis (nat. size).
In Budo (fig. 4, A) and in the other genera the two pha-
langes in question are subequal.
310 Mr. F. E. Beddard on the ™
Applying this test to Heliodilus, it confirms the justice of
Prof. Milne-Edwards’s views of the affinities of that bird. In
the illustration of the skeleton which he gives, it is quite
obvious that the proportions of the two first phalanges of the
third digit are those of Strix.
The illustration of Photodilus is not sufficiently accurate
to admit of a statement with regard to this pomt. The
skeleton was apparently defective.
The principal osteological characters of the genus Sériz,
and which apparently distinguish it from all others, are the
following :—
(1) The skull is relatively long and narrow.
(2) The palatines are straight, nearly parallel to each other ;
they are of approximately the same width throughout ;
they almost conceal the underlying maxillo-palatines,
which are broader from above downwards than from
side to side.
(3) The prefrontal processes of the ethmoid are rounded
bones of some width.
(4) The interorbital region of the skull does not form a
thin plate anteriorly, but is of considerable width
from side ‘to side.
(5) The sternum has but one notch on either side.
(6), In the foot the second joint of the third toe is con-
siderably longer than the basal joint.
(7) There is no bony ridge upon the tarso-metatarsus.
On the other hand, in the Bubonide the skeleton has the
following characters :—
(1) The skull is relatively broad and short.
(2) The palatines are curved, the hinder part of the bone
being much wider than the anterior region; the max-
illo-palatines are very broad from side to side.
(3) The prefrontal process of the ethmoid is a thin plate*.
* In Athene noctua and Speotyto cunicularia these processes are very
small, and are hidden by the palatines when the skull is viewed from the
ventral surface. The skull is broader in these two genera than in any
others examined by me, and the maxillo-palatines are smaller.
F Classification of the Striges. 341
(4) The interorbital plate is thin and often fenestrated.
(5) The sternum has two notches on either side.
(6) In the foot the second joint of the third digit is sub-
equal in size to the basal joint.
(7) There is a bony ridge upon the under surface of the
upper end of the tarso-metatarsus.
4. Tensores patagit.—l1 take this opportunity of noting
certain points in the structure of the muscles and syrinx
which are quite in harmony with the division of the Striges
into two families, Strigide and Bubonide. With regard to
the muscles I have to call attention only to the tensor patagit
brevis and to the tensor patagii longus. ‘In Bubo the
tensor patagii brevis splits into two tendons, which are in-
serted on to the fascia of the muscles arising from the elbow.
In Striv flammea these tendons are more complicated ; the
tensor patagi brevis gives rise to two tendons; the inner of
these tendons branches, the outer branch fusing with the outer
tendon; from the pojyt where the inner branch joins the
fascia covering the eM@v-muscles a thin tendon passes ob-
liquely through the patagium t@ join the tendon of the fensor
patagit longus. This oblique tendon occurs in S. jflammea
and S. pratincola and (according to a MS: sketch of Prof.
Garrod) in S. nove hollandie ; it does not occur in any other
Owl which I have dissected, viz. Bubo maculosus, Scops leucotis,
Pulsatrix torquata, Athene noctua, Syrnium aluco, S. nebu-
losum, Otus vulgaris, Ketupa javanensis, and Nyctea nivea. For
the present, therefore, there is this difference between the
Strigidz and the Bubonide ; and although it is undoubtedly a
small difference, its constancy makes it of some importance.
As the object of the present paper is not to give an account
of the anatomy of the Striges, but to distinguish the two
families Strigidze and Bubonide, I have not indicated the
numerous minute points of difference in the disposition of
the fensores patagii in the various genera of Bubonide.
5. Syrinw. I have examined this organ in the following
genera and species :—
342 Mr. F. E. Beddard on the
Strix flammea. Nyctea nivea.
Ketapa javanensis. Glaucidium passerinum,
Bubo virginianus. Speotyto cunicularia.
Bubo maculosus. Pulsatrix torquata.
Bubo capensis. Otus brachyotus.
Syrnium indranee. Scops leucotis.
Syrnium aluco. Gymnoglaux nudipes.
Asio otus.
In all these species the sterno-tracheal muscles are very
stout, and there is but a single pair of syringeal muscles.
The syrinz itself is tracheo-bronchial, though there are indi-
cations in several genera (particularly in Scops) of a passage
towards a bronchial syrinx, such as is found in certain
Cuckoos* and Goatsuckers f.
The principal difference which I have found to distinguish
the syringes of the various genera of Owls concerns the in-
Syrinx of Striv flammea.
sertion of the intrinsic muscles, that is, their distance from
the bifurcation of the trachea. Strix (fig. 5) possesses a
typical tracheo-bronchial syrinx. The last tracheal rays are
* Beddard, “On the Structure and Classification of the Cuckoos,”
P. Z. S. 1885, p. 168.
+ Beddard, “On the Syrinx &e. of the Caprimulgide,” P. Z. 8. 1886,
p. 147.
Classification of the Striges. 343
fused at their lower extremities and form a triangular piece.
The first bronchial semiring is a stout arched bar, which is
Syrinx of Bubo maculosus.
entirely ossified, and to this is attached the syringeal muscle ;
the remaining bronchial semirings are cartilaginous.
The syringes of Budo (fig. 6), Syrnium, and Asio come nearest
Syrinx of Scops leucotis.
to that of Striz : in all of these the attachment of the syringeal
muscles is apparently the same as in Strix; but the fact that
344: Mr. H. Seebohm on the
a varying number of tracheal rings are incomplete in front
as well as behind, instead of being complete anteriorly, as in
Striz, makes it appear as if the attachment of the said muscles
had moved further down the bronchi. Of the above-men-
tioned types Aszo is furthest removed from Sériz; there are
seven tracheal rings intervening between the last complete
one and the first bronchial which bears the muscles.
This modification of the syrinx culminates in Scops leucotis
(fig. 7, p. 843), where the syringeal muscles are attached
to the tenth semiring.
There is thus a gradual series (which would prohably be
more complete could I report upon a larger collection of
syringes) leading from Strix to Scops.
As the series is gradual, it is impossible to make a break
anywhere, although the extremes, viz. Scops and Strix (cf.
figs. 5 & 7), are different enough.
In view of the object of the present paper (that is, of
establishing the justice of dividing the Striges into two
groups), I may point out that the structure of the syrinx,
although it would not be sufficient, if considered by itself, to
justify such a classification, is by no means contradictory to it.
XXX V.—On the Birds observed by Dr. Bunge on his recent
Visit to Great Liakoff Island. By Henry Sersoum.
For a period of five years, from 1882 to 1887, many in-
teresting observations were made by Dr. Bunge in North-
east Siberia. The results of his visit to the delta of the Lena
were published in the ‘ Mélanges Biologiques tirés du Bulletin
de Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Pétersbourg,’ xii.
livr. i. pp. 831-107, of which a résumé may be found in the
‘Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’
Society,’ iv. pp. 3801-3805. ‘The record of Dr. Bunge’s
observations in Great Liakoff Island is to be found in the
‘Beitrage zur Kenntniss des Russischen Reiches und der
angrenzenden Linder Asiens,’ 11. pp. 231-288.
Dr. Bunge crossed the ice from the mainland to Great
Birds of Great Liakoff Island. 345
Liakoff Island from the 6th to the 15th of April, 1886, he
and his party employing twelve dog-sledges to perform the
journey. A month later he accompanied Boron Toll to
Kotelnyi, the largest of the New Siberian Islands, and
afterwards returned to Great Liakoff, leaving his companion
on the more northerly island to search for mammoth remains
and other objects of interest. In the middle of November
both the travellers recrossed the ice to the mainland.
The following account of the birds observed by Dr. Bunge
during his stay upon Great Liakoff Island is compiled from
his journal.
Great Liakoff Island hes ten degrees east of the delta
of the Lena, between 73° and 74° N. lat. It is the most
southerly of the New Siberian Islands, and is connected with
the mainland by ice, which never entirely disappears. The
climate is cold, even in the middle of summer; north winds
prevail, and bring down fog and sometimes snow-storms even
in July. The thermometer did not rise above freezing-point
until the 9th of June; vegetation did not begin to appear
until the 19th, and insects were scarcely seen before the
22nd; but summer began on the 28th, when the temperature
reached 50° in the shade. The highest point registered was
on the 26th of July, when the thermometer stood at 55° in
the shade; but a fortnight later summer was over, and
during the latter half of August it frequently froze. After
the 17th of September the thermometer only rose once above
freezing-point.
The only trees are stunted willows ; the tundra is by no
means rich in flowers. Three groups of granite hills near
the coast, and one in the middle of the island, rise nearly a
thousand feet above the sea. In the hollows of these hills
large masses of snow and huge blocks of ice remain unmelted
throughout the summer.
In winter the island is said to be absolutely deserted ; but
every summer it is visited by small parties of nomad Yakuts
and herds of wild reindeer, wolves, arctic foxes, and lemmings,
whilst seals and polar bears are occasionally seen on the
coast. -
346 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
From this group of islands great quantities of mammoth
ivory have been sent. The bones are found along with those
of extinct species of rhinoceros, musk-ox, deer, hare, and
seal.
The following is a list of the birds obtained or observed
by. Drs Bunges—
SURNIA NYCTEA.
Once only (on the 5th of September) was a bird of prey
seen on the island, and doubtfully recorded as most probably
a Rough-legged Buzzard ; but Snowy Owls were occasionally
observed.
EMBERIZA NIVALIS.
Only four Passerine birds (two of them only solitary stray
visitors) were observed on the island, though as many as
five-and-twenty species are recorded from the valley of the
Lena on the mainland.
The Snow Buntings had arrived on the island before our
travellers reached it. On the 7th of June they were in full
song; on the 20th they were evidently building, and on the
11th of July they had young. They were last seen on the
22nd of September.
EMBERIZA LAPPONICA.
Buntings (which have been since identified as Lapland
Buntings) are first recorded on the 10th of June, and had
become common on the 14th; on the 20th they were evi-
dently building, and on the 28th a nest with five fresh eggs
was taken. Other nests with much incubated eggs were
taken on the 7th and 8th of July; and on the 11th a nest
with newly hatched young was found. They were seen
every day until the 3rd of September, when the last bird of
this species left for the south, about three weeks before the
Snow Buntings.
+ Moracitya Absa.
A solitary White Wagtail was seen on the 22nd of June.
+ SAXICOLA @NANTHE.
The Wheatear is only once mentioned; on the 25th of
July it was observed at the west end of the island.
Birds of Great Liakoff Island. 347
+ TETRAO ALBUs.
The Willow Grouse was seen during the whole winter on
the mainland, and may possibly be also a resident on Liakoff
Island. On the 10th of July a nest with six eggs was taken,
and on the 16th another with four eggs. On the 22nd
young were seen, and on the 11th of August a male bird
was shot with the white feathers appearing under the
brown plumage.
++ CHARADRIUS HIATICULA.
I have never seen an example of the Common Ringed
Plover from any locality east of the valley of the Yenesay ;
but Mr. Pleske assures me that the skins sent by Dr. Bunge
are those of (. hiaticula and not of C. placidus. It is first
mentioned on the 11th of June, when several examples were
seen. It is recorded as having been rare on the 13th, 16th,
and 17th, but as more common on the 20th. On the 17th
of July it appeared to be breeding, and on the 29th young in
down were seen.
+ CHARADRIUS FULVUS.
A Golden Plover was seen on the 12th of June, and several
on the 14th, and the species identified as the one with grey
axillaries on the 16th. They were more abundant on the
20th, and a nest with four eggs was taken on the 30th.
+. CHARADRIUS HELVETICUS.
A pair of Grey Plovers were seen on the 19th of June, and
more on the 20th; but no further mention is made of this
species.
~- CHARADRIUS MORINELLUS.
Two female Dotterels were shot on the 30th of June, and
a pair which evidently had eggs or young were seen on the
25th of July. A small flock was observed on the 27th of
July; so that the occurrence of this species east of the
Yenesay is established beyond doubt. Mr. Pleske has
examined the skins sent by Dr. Bunge and assures me
that they are correctly identified.
348 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
LIMOSA RUFA UROPYGIALIS.
We may take it for granted that the Bar-tailed Godwits -
observed on the Great Liakoff Island belonged to the eastern
form of that species. They are doubtfully recorded on the
Ist of July, and flocks were seen and many birds shot on the
2nd and 8rd. Large flocks were seen on the 5th, and after-
wards until the 16th. The Yakuts told Dr. Bunge that these
birds did not breed on the island ; but on the 4th of August he
observed a male, which behaved exactly as if it had a nest.
On the 12th of August two examples were seen flying south.
+ STREPSILAS INTERPRES.
Turnstones were seen on the 16th of June and on several
subsequent days. On the 27th a nest with four somewhat
incubated eggs was found, and on the 13th of August a fully
fledged young bird was seen.
+ ToTANUS PUGNAX.
A young Ruff was obtained on the 19th of August.
-++ TRINGA CANUTUS.
The first Knot was seen on the 6th of July, and on the
11th small flocks appeared. On the 14th several examples
were shot, and on the 18th more; but on the 20th this
species became rarer, and is not recorded after the 31st.
TRINGA MINUTA.
The Stint recorded under this name appears to have
been neither Tringa minuta ruficollis nor Tringa subminuta,
as might have been expected, but is determined by Mr. Pleske
to have been the western form of the Little Stint. On the
other hand, an example from the delta of the Lena and a
second from Ustyansk on the delta of the Lena are referred
to T. minuta ruficollis. The Little Stint was first seen on
the 16th of June, and several were shot on the 20th. A
nest with four fresh eggs was taken on the 20th, and it is
described as having been very common on the 2nd of July.
Young in down are recorded on the 24th of July, and young
able to fly on the 13th of August.
Birds of Great Liakoff Tsland. 349
+ TRINGA SUBARQUATA.
The Curlew Sandpiper is first recorded as appearing in
small flocks on the 11th of June, and as having been shot on
the 14th, and found in greater numbers on the 18th; but
it is described as having become rarer on the 20th, and is
not mentioned afterwards. There can be little doubt that
both this species and the Knot breed further north,
_/TRINGA ARENARIA.
A flock of Sanderlings was seen on the 10th of June, and
others appeared on the 20th and 22nd. This species is not
recorded again until the 26th of July; but on the 29th a
flock was observed, and on the 13th of September a single
example was seen.
+ PHALAROPUS FULICARIUS.
The Grey Phalarope is first recorded on the 19th of June,
when a pair were seen; on the 20th several pairs appeared,
and on the 5th of July a nest with four incubated eggs was
found. On the 6th a nest with three fresh eggs was dis-
covered, and several males with great sitting-spots were
obtained. On the llth of August small flocks in autumn
plumage were seen, and a few solitary birds lingered until
the 13th of September.
4. STERCORARIUS RICHARDSONI.
Skuas were first seen on the 14th of June, and identified
on the 17th as Richardson’s Skua ; but this species was only
occasionally seen.
_~ STERCORARIUS BUFFONI.
Buffon’s Skua was first identified on the 21st June; on
the next day it became commoner, still more so on the 31st,
and very common on the 11th of July.
+. STERCORARIUS POMARINUS.
The Pomarine Skua was first seen on the 20th of June, but
appears to have been very rarely seen afterwards.
~ Larus veca.
The Herring Gull found by Dr. Bunge on the Liakoff
Islands is identified by Mr. Pleske with the species found on
350 On the Birds of Great Liakoff Island.
the coast of Tchuski Land by the ‘ Vega’ expedition, which
was described as a new species by Palmén under the name of
Larus argentatus, var.vege. It is said to differ from L. affinis
in having flesh-coloured legs (Palmén, Bidrag Sibir. Jshafsk.
Fogelfauna Vega-exp. p. 370). It is first recorded on the
2nd of June, said to be commoner on the 9th, and still more
so on the 11th. On the 29th a slightly incubated egg was
found, and on the 6th of July three nearly fresh eggs, On
the 26th of August the young were able to fly.
Larus GLAvucus.
Glaucous Gulls were occasionally seen.
CoLyMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS.
The Red-throated Diver is recorded on the 21st of June,
and several are said to have been seen on the 22nd. Several
were heard on the 4th of July, and one was seen on the 22nd,
and others on the 26th. Many were seen on the 11th of
August, and a few remained until the 9th of September.
ANSER ALBIFRONS.
On the 5th of June and afterwards a solitary White-fronted
Goose was seen, and on the 11th and afterwards small flocks
began to appear. On the 6th of July a nest with four in-
cubated eggs was found, and from the 7th to the 21st birds
were frequently seen. From the 20th of July to the end of
the month they were observed in full moult; and two
examples were seen as late as the 13th of September.
ANSER BRENTA.
A pair of Brent Geese were seen on the 10th of June, and
a second pair on the 12th. On the 20th several were shot,
~ and large flocks were seen from the 8th of July to the 16th.
On the 28th four examples were seen.
SoMATERIA STELLERT.
Steller’s Eider Duck is recorded on the 7th of May, when
a flock was seen flying towards the Lena delta. Three days
later another flock was seen flying in the same direction. On
the 20th, 21st, and 27th of June, and on the 3rd and 6th of
July, other flocks were seen. No other records occur, except
ee
Critical Notes on the Procellaride. 851
that between the 16th and 26th of August mention is made
of their occurrence.
+ SoMATERIA SPECTABILIS.
A large flock of King Hiders were seen on the 9th of June,
and others were seen on the 14th. A pair were shot on the
17th, and others were seen on the 20th and 21st. On the
3rd of July a nest with three eggs was found, and between
the 20th and the 26th flocks of females were seen.
+ FULIGULA GLACIALIS.
Long-tailed Ducks were heard on the 5th of June, but do
not appear to have been seen until the 20th. They were
occasionally observed for some weeks ; and between the 16th
and 26th of August they appeared in large flocks.
ANAS FORMOSA.
The Baikal Teal is described as very rare; but a nest with
four fresh eggs was taken on the 29thof June. The species
is doubtfully recorded on the 3rd of July, but no example is
said to have been obtained.
XXXVI.— Critical Notes on the Procellariide.
By Ossert Satvin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.
In the first volume of the late Mr. G. Dawson Rowley’s
‘ Ornithological Miscellany’ I published two articles on the
Procellariide under the above given title. I now propose to
continue the series, with a view to preparing the ground for
the completion of a long-promised Monograph of the family.
The present paper has been based chiefly on an examination
of some of the specimens brought to England by Sir Walter
Buller from New Zealand, the determination of which was
necessary for the second edition of his ‘ Birds of New Zea-
land,’ now in course of issue.
Some other specimens have also been examined, as will be
seen from the following notes. The arrangement of the
series of specimens in the British Museum, and the imcorpo-
ration with it of Gould’s, Mr. Seebohm’s, and our own col-
SER. V.—VOL. VI. 2c
352 Mr. O. Salvin—Critical
lections, has suggested most of these notes. Others will, I
trust, follow, as obscure points relating to this family become
clearer.
+ PUFFINUS CHLORORHYNCHUS.
Puffinus chlororhynchus, Less. Traité d’Orn. p. 612 (1831) ;
Puch. Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 633 ; Sharpe, Phil. Trans. elxviii.
p. 467; Ridgw. Man. N. Am. Birds, p. 62.
Thiellus chlororhynchus, Bonap. Consp. Av. ii. p. 200;
Coues, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1864, p. 123.
Procellaria chlororhyncha, Schl. Mus. Pays-Bas, vi. Pro-
cellaria, p. 25.
Puffinus sphenurus, Gould, Ann. & Mag. N. H. xiii. p. 365
(1844) ; id. Birds Austr. vil. pl. 58; Ridgw. Man. N.-Am.
Birds, p. 62.
Thiellus sphenurus, Bp. et Coues, ll. ce.
Procellaria sphenura, Schl. 1. ¢.
Lesson’s type of his P. chlororhynchus in the Paris Museum
was brought from Australia (Baie des Chiens Marins), so
Pucheran tells us, by Quoy and Gaimard in 1820. Those
writers who have attempted to separate it from P. sphenurus
of Gould attribute to it amore western range, extending from
Western Australia to the Mascarene Islands and the Cape
of Good Hope, and reserve the name P. sphenurus for the
more eastern bird, giving its range “ Australian Seas.”
Gould’s types of P. sphenurus, however, came from Hout-
mann’s Abrolhos, off the coast of W. Australia, so that the
difference of habitat breaks down. I have compared speci-
mens from the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius and Rodriguez),
Raine’s Islet (N.W. Australia) , Bird Islet (N.Australia), Nor-
folk I., Lord Howe’sI., Eimeo (Society Is.), and New Zealand,
and fail to see how any separation can be maintained. The
Mascarene birds have perhaps a rather stouter bill, the colour
of which in the skin is more of a fleshy yellow; but these
differences seem to me to be of little importance, as inter- -
mediate specimens occur. The slight difference in size is not
more than occurs in most birds having so wide a range.
Gould’s figure represents a bird with a dark bill, but his
7
Notes on the Procellaride. 353
description gives it as “ reddish fleshy brown, darker on the
culmen and tip.”
We have two skins said to have come from New Zealand,
where its occurrence, at least on the shores of the North
Tsland, can hardly fail to be established.
Both the following species belong to this section of Puffinus,
which may be distinguished by the long cuneate tails of all
its members.
PUFFINUS CUNEATUS, Sp. nov.
Supra fuliginosus ; capite summo, dorso postico, tectricibus
_ alarum minoribus et remigibus saturatioribus, plumis
dorsi antici pallide fuliginoso limbatis, tectricibus alarum
majoribus ad apices griseo tinctis: subtus medialiter
albidus; gule et cervicis lateribus griseis, pectore et
hypochondriis quoque hujus coloris, ventre imo et
crisso omnino obscurioribus, tectricibus alarum infe-
rioribus albidis griseo vix irroratis, cauda cuneata nigra :
rostro obscure plumbeo, pedibus flavis extrorsum obscu-
rioribus: long. tota 17:0, ale 11°8, caude rectr. med.
5°3, lat. 3°65, rostri a rictu 2:2, a naribus 1:2, culminis
nudi 1°6, tarsi 1°85, dig. med. cum ungue 2°82.
Hab. Ynsulis Krusenstern (H. J. Snow).
Mus. nostr. et H. Seebohm, nunc in Mus. Brit.
In general coloration this species resembles P. creatopus,
Coues, but it may be readily distinguished by its smaller
darker bill, smaller feet, and especially by its longer more
cuneate tail, the latter character placing it along with P.
chlororhynchus and P. bulleri, described below, in Gloger’s
supposed genus or section “ Thiellus’’ (see Coues, Pr. Ac.
Nat. Sci. Phil. 1864, p. 122)*.
I have two specimens of this bird before me, both obtained
in the spring of 1883 by Mr. H. J. Snow, of Yokohamar.
* The name Zhyellus was proposed by Gloger in Froriep’s ‘ Notizen,
xvi. (1827) p. 279, simply as a substitute for Puffinus. Bonaparte
(Consp. Av. ii. p. 200) altered the spelling, and restricted it to this
section of Puffinus, and in so doing he was followed by Coues.
+ The Krusenstern Islands here referred to are apparently the small
cluster of islands so named by Kotzebue, which form part of the Marshall
Group, and are situated in about lat. 10° 17’ N., long. 190° W. The
islands extend over an area of 15 miles long by 5 wide. The native name
20 2
354 My. O. Salvin—Critical
In several respects this bird conforms to Latham’s descrip-
tion of his White-breasted Petrel *, said to inhabit Turtle and
Christmas Islands; but there are differences which make it
undesirable to make another, and probably fruitless, attempt
to identify this name, which has already been applied to
CEstrelata neglecta of the Kermadec Islands. Turtle Island
is probably Vatoa or Turtle I., one of the Fiji group; and
Christmas I. the island of that name south of the Sandwich
Islands.
PUFFINUS BULLERI, Sp. NOV.
Supra saturate griseus, capite toto supra cum cervice postica
fuliginoso-nigris, loris et regione ophthalmica vix griseo
intermixtis: tectricibus alarum minoribus fuliginoso-
nigris, majoribus externe griseis et extrorsum albo lim-
batis ; remigibus fuliginoso-nigris, pogonio interno bi-
triente interna nigra; pagina alarum inferiore et corpore
subtus niveis, crisso utrinque schistaceo limbato: cauda
cuneata nigricante, rectricibus lateralibus griseo tinctis :
rostro obscure plumbeo, mandibula infra carnea; pedibus
externe corylinis, interne flavis: longit. tota (cire.) 16°5,
alee 11°3, caude rectr. med. 5:2, rectr. lat. 38°5, rostri a
rictu 2°6, a naribus 1°3, culminis nudi 17°5, tarsi 2:0.
Hab. New Zealand (W. L. Buller).
Mus. W. L. Buller et nostr.
This distinct species appears to belong to the section of the
genus possessing long cuneate tails, of which P. chloro-
rhynchus is the best-known species. Its coloration at once
makes it easily recognizable, no other species having a grey
mantle, with which the dark head and dark wings are in
striking contrast, this style of coloration being characteristic
of many species of Mistrelata.
The description is based upon two specimens, one of them
obtained by Sir Walter Buller in New Zealand. The other
of the largest is Ailuk. There is a Krusenstern Rock lying to the west-
ward of the Sandwich Islands; but this can hardly be the place whence
these Petrels were obtained, as the sea is described as only breaking in
one spot. Another Krusenstern Island lies in the narrowest part of
Behring’s Straits.
* White-breasted Petrel, Lath. Gen, Syn. vi. p. 400.
Procellaria alba, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 665; Lath. Ind. Orn. 11. p. 822.
Notes on the Procellariide. 355
we purchased some time ago from Mr. Whitely of Woolwich,
who stated that he had received it from New Zealand.
+ PUFFINUS GRISEUS.
Nectris fuliginosa, Solander, MS.; Parkinson, Icon. ined.
No, 23 (nee Puffinus fuliginosus, Kuhl).
Procellaria fuliginosa, G. Forst. Icon. ined. No. 94.
Grey Petrel, Lath. Gen. Syn. vi. p. 399.
Procellaria grisea, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 564 (nec Kuhl).
Puffinus griseus, Finsch, J. f. Orn. 1874, p. 209; Salv. in
Rowley’s Orn. Misc. 1. p. 236; Dresser, B. Eur. viii. pl. 616.
Puffinus fuliginosus, A. Strick]. (mot. propr.!), P. Z. 8.
1832, p. 129.
Puffinus tristis, J. R. Forst. Descr. An. p. 23; Buller, B.
N. Zeal. p. 315.
Puffinus amaurosoma, Coues, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1864,
p. 124.
Puffinus stricklandi, Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. p. 61.
There is now a large series of skins of this bird in the British
Museum; and I have taken the opportunity of comparing
birds from the North Atlantic with others from the Pacific
Ocean, and have failed to see how two species can be set up
as proposed by Mr. Ridgway. In his recently published
‘ Manual’ it will be seen that dimensions do not afford any
diagnostic characters, and that the only difference to be
detected is that the under wing-coverts in the Atlantic bird
are grey, transversely mottled with white at the tips, whereas
in P. griseus they are white, transversely mottled with grey
at the tips. A comparison of specimens shows how trivial
this difference is.
In the Pacific Ocean this species occurs as far north as the
Kurile Islands, whence specimens have been sent by Mr. H.
J. Snow.
+-PUFFINUS CARNEIPES.
Puffinus carneipes, Gould, P. Z.S. 1844, p. 57; id. Birds
Austr. vil. pl. 57; Seebohm, [bis, 1884, p.176; Ridgw. Man.
N. Am. Birds, p. 62.
356 Mr. O. Salvin—Critical
Nectris carneipes, Coues, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1864,
p. 126.
Sir W. Buller’s collection contaims a specimen which
appears to me to belong undoubtedly to this species; the
only other examples which I have seen are from Hakodate
(Henson), in Northern Japan. The latter only differ in
being in rather older, and in more worn plumage, the New
Zealand bird being freshly moulted. These additional loca-
lities show that this bird has a much wider range than has
hitherto been suspected. Gould’s types came from Cape
- Leewin, S.W. Australia.
The bird is rare in collections, and we have considerable
doubts as to the correct determination of those stated to be
in the Leyden and other museums (cf. Schl. Mus. Pays-Bas,
vi. Procellarie, p. 26); the Leyden birds should, I believe,
be referred to Puffinus griseus (Gm.).
+ PUFFINUS TENUIROSTRIS.
Procellaria tenuirostris, Temm. PI. Col. livr. 99 (1835).
Puffinus tenuirostris, Salvad. Orn. Pap. e Mol. iii. p. 462.
Puffinus brevicaudus, Brandt (1836) ; Gould, B. Austr. vii.
p. 56; Buller, B. N. Zeal. p. 315.
It seems well established that P. brevicaudus of the Aus-
tralian and New-Zealand Seas does not differ from P. tenui-
rostris of Japan. The latter name has priority (see Salvadori,
ioc.)
+ PUFFINUS GAVIA.
Procellaria gavia, Forst. Descr. An. p. 148 (1844),
Puffinus gavia, Buller, B. N. Zeal. p. 318.
Sir W. Buller’s collection contains a specimen referred to
this species, which is the first I have seen answering to
Forster’s description. It has a general resemblance to
P. opisthomelas, Coues, as regards the colour of its plumage,
but may at once be distinguished by its pure white under
tail-coverts.
Of P. opisthomelas I have before me a careful drawing
prepared from one of the types obtained off the coast of
Lower California, and lent me by the authorities of the
Smithsonian Institution.
Notes on the Procellariide. 857
In his recently published ‘ Manual of North American
Birds,’ p. 60, Mr. Ridgway calls this bird “ the Black-vented
Shearwater,” a name which may still be retained for the
bird of the Californian coasts when Dr. Coues’s title,
P. opisthomelas, is restored to it.
+ PUFFINUS OBSCURUS.
Dusky Petrel, Lath. Gen. Syn. vi. p. 416.
Procellaria obscura, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 559; Lath. Ind.
Orn. 11. p. 828.
A skin, said to have come from New Zealand, in our col-
lection belongs to the larger form of this species. It agrees
with one from Manua, Samoa Islands, except that the
crissum is white in the middle to its extremity, the sides alone
being dusky. In the Samoa bird the central feathers of the
crissum are dusky tipped with white. These differences can
hardly be considered specific, seeing that considerable varia-
tion prevails in this respect when a large series of birds is
examined. The smallest birds with the darkest crissum that
I have seen are from the Pelew Islands.
+PUFFINUS ASSIMILIS.
Puffinus assimilis, Gould, P.Z.S. 1837, p. 186; id. B.
Austr, vii. pl. 59.
Puffinus nugax, Solander, MS.; Gould, Handb. B. Austr.
ii. p. 458; Coues, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1864, p. 14.
Gould’s specimens were obtained on Norfolk I.; but he
remarks that he saw numerous examples flying off the north-
eastern end of New Zealand. J. MacGillivray found this
species at Raoul I., one of the Kermadec Group, and Sir W.
Buller has a specimen from Little Barrier I.
P. assimilis may at once be distinguished from P. 06b-
scurus by the colour of the primary quills, which are white
for about two thirds of the outer portion of the inner web,
except towards the tip.
(EisTRELATA HERALDICA, Sp. Nov.
Supra fusca, dorsi plumis vix obscure griseo limbatis, fronte
et genis albis fusco intermixtis; corpore subtus albo,
pectore (anguste), cervicis lateribus et hypochondriis
358 Mr. O. Salvin— Critical
cinereo irroratis, crisso quoque lateraliter obscure ci-
nereo maculato; subalaribus plerumque nigricantibus,
harum autem longissimis albis fusco terminatis ; remigi-
bus nigricantibus, rachidibus omnibus fuscis, pogonio
interno bitriente interna ad basin alba; cauda nigricante,
rectricibus triente basali albo; rostro nigro, pedibus flavis,
digitis dimidio distali nigro: long. tota 14:0, ale 11-0,
caudee rectr. med. 4°6, lat. 3°65, tarsi 1-4, dig. med. cum
ungue 1°8, rostri a rictu 1°5.
Hab. Chesterfield Is., W. Pacific (MacGillivray).
Mus. Brit. et nostr.
We have long possessed a specimen of this bird, obtained
in exchange from Gould, and there is another exactly like it
in the British Museum. The latter was called by Gray
Procellaria phillipii, he having identified it with the bird
so named by himself, the basis of which is the Norfolk-
Island Petrel of Phillp’s ‘ Voyage to Botany Bay’ (p. 161,
pl)
The colour of the feet and of the primaries justifies the
reference of our specimens to Phillip’s description; but the
size (16 inches) and the colour make it more than doubtful
if the latter really refers to the same bird. The figure
represents a bird with a much longer, heavier bill, more
like that of one of the Gt. fuliginosa group; indeed, were it
not for the colour of the feet, I should have little hesitation
in referring Phillip’s bird to Gi. solandi, Gould.
The bird now described at first sight resembles Gi. mollis
(Gould), but may readily be distinguished by its larger size,
darker tail, and especially by having two thirds of the inner
web of the primaries, as well as the longest coverts, white.
Both the specimens before me were obtained by John
MacGillivray at the Chesterfield Islands, a small group lying
a little to the north of west of New Caledonia.
+ CistRELATA GULARIS.
Procellaria gularis, Peale, U.S. Expl. Exp. Birds, p. 99.
Procellaria affinis, Buller, Man. B. New Zeal. p. 88.
A specimen of P. affinis submitted to me by Sir W. Buller
agrees accurately with the description of Gi. gudaris, aud I
have hitle doubt should bear that name.
Notes on the Procellariidze. 359
~~ (AsTRELATA HYPOLEUCA, Sp. NOV.
Supra nigricans ; interscapulio et uropygio cinereis plumis
singulis pallide cinereo limbatis, vertice antico albo
limbato, froute, loris et corpore toto subtus pure albis,
subalaribus albis margine alarum externo et plaga ad
basin remigum nigricanti-fuscis, remigibus omnino
nigris ; caudanigra ad basin alba; rostro nigro, pedibus
flavis, digitis dimidio distali nigro: long. tota (cire.) 13:0,
ale 9:0, caude rectr. med. 4°65, lat. 3°2, rostri a rictu
1:4, tarsi 1:1, dig. med. cum ungue 1°4.
Hab. Krusenstern Is., N. Pacific CH. J. Snow).
Mus. Brit.
Obs. CE. torquate, Macg., affinis, sed paulo major, cauda
multo longiore distinguenda.
Mr. H. Seebohm has recently presented to the British
Museum a single specimen of an Mstrelata obtained by
Mr. H. J. Snow of Yokohama on the Krusenstern Is., m
North Pacific Ocean, in the spring of 1883.
It belongs to the section of the genus having the whole of
the inner web of the primaries black, and therefore is allied
to Gi. mollis aud Gt. torquata. It |is considerably smaller
than Ci. mollis, which, moreover, has/the under wing-coverts
black. (. torquata is its nearest ally, from which it differs
in its rather larger size and much longer tail (that of ZZ. tor-
- quata only measuring 3°8 inches, instead of 4°65). Moreover,
the whole under surface of the body of Gi. hypoleuca is pure
white, without a trace of the grey which prevails to a greater
or less extent on the chest of Gi. torquata and sometimes
overspreads the whole under surface except the throat.
(Estrelata torquata is a bird that seems to have been over-
looked by recent writers on Procellariide. It was described
by J. MacGillivray in 1860 (Zool. xviii. p. 7133) from spe-
cimens obtained by himself in Aneiteum, New Hebrides, in
1859. I have now four of these examples before me, bearing
MacGillivray’s labels. One was acquired by Schlegel for
the Leyden Museum in 1861, and appears in his ‘ Mus. des
Pays-Bas, Procellaride,’ p. 13, as Procellaria desolata, Gm.!
MacGillivray seems to have intended to name the species
“ P, aneiteumensis,” under which title it appears in Gray’s
360 Recently published Ornithological Works.
‘ Hand-list’ (111. p. 107) ; but there can be no doubt that the
birds before me are referable to his P. torquata.
Besides the New Hebrides Group, this bird occurs in the
Fiji Islands, whence we have specimens from Viti Levu, col-
lected by Kleinschmidt in 1878.
~~ CHsTRELATA FULIGINOSA.
Procellaria fuliginosa, Kuhl; Buller, B. N. Zeal. p. 303,
pl.
Procellaria macroptera, Gould, Handb. B. Austr. 11. p. 449.
Procellaria gouldi, Hutton; Buller, B. N. Zeal. p. 308.
Sir W. Buller’s collection contains two specimens attri-
buted to P. gouldi, Hutton. They agree with one in the
British Museum from the coast of Tasmania, referred by
Gould to P. macroptera, Smith. These-I have compared
with a large series from the South Atlantic Ocean, the Cape
Seas, and elsewhere ; and though they are rather larger and
(especially the New-Zealand specimens) have stronger bills, I
do not think the differences sufficiently constant or important
to justify the recognition of more than one form of this
widely ranging species. Some stress has been laid upon the
greyness of the face of P. gouldi; but this character, too,
fails, and a specimen before me with a short wing has the
chin white.
XXX VII.— Notices of recent Ornithological Publications.
[Contiuued from p. 282.]
59. Bartlett on Weavers and Finches.
[A Monograph of the Weaver-Birds, Ploceids, and arboreal and ter-
restrial Finches, Fringillide. By Edward Bartlett. Parts 1, II. 4to.
Maidstone: 1888. ]
We wish every success to Mr. Edward Bartlett in his
efforts to realize a long-cherished plan to produce an illus-
trated Monograph of the Ploceidz and Fringillide. The
undertaking is arduous, as both families are numerous and
contain many difficult genera. In the two parts already
issued the following species are figured :—
Recently published Ornithological Works. 361
Part L—Feé. 29, 1888.
Textor dinamelli. Paroaria cucullata.
boehmi. Pyrrhula nipalensis.
Chrysomitris atrata. Munia oryzivora.
Part II.— April 30, 1888.
Cardinalis virginianus. Textor panicivora.
Chrysomitris uropygialis. albirostris.
Passer domesticus, ~
The synonymy of each bird is fully given and followed by
a short description ; after which come notes on the history
and habits, and a list of specimens examined. The coloured
figures are neatly drawn by Mr. F. W. Frohawk.
60. Berlepsch on the Colombian Trochilide.
[Kritische Uebersicht der in den sogenannten Bogota-collectionen
(8. O. Colombia) vorkommenden Colibri-Arten und Beschreibung eines
neuen Colibri ( Cyanolesbia nehrkorni), von Hans von Berlepsch. Journ.
f. Orn. 1887, p. 313.]
This is an excellent and accurate list of the 95 species of
Humming-birds that occur in what are commonly called
“ Bogota” collections, that is, amongst the skins brought
into the capital of the Colombian Republic by the native
collectors from the surrounding districts. The skins, as is
well known to ornithologists, are immediately recognizable
by their peculiar preparation. A new species is described as
Cyanolesbia nehrkorni, from a single specimen in the author’s
collection.
61. Bocage on additions to the Avifauna of St. Thomas,
West Africa.
[Additamento 4 fauna ornithologica de S. Thomé. Por J. v. Barboza
du Bocage. Jorn. Sci. Math. Phys. e Nat. Lisboa, no. xlvi. p. 81. ]
In a collection lately received by the Coimbra Museum
from the West-African Island of St. Thomas are examples
of six species. Two of them, Turturena malherbii and
Columba arquatrix, var., are new to the avifauna of this
island.
362 Recently published Ornithological Works.
62. Bocage on Birds from Equatorial Africa.
[Sur quelques oiseaux recueillis dans l'Afrique équatoriale (pays du
Muata-Yamvyo) par M. A. Sesinando Marques. Par J. v. Barboza du
Boeage. Jorn. Sci. Math. Phys. e Nat, Lisboa, no. xlvi. p. 84.]
This short paper gives an account of six species, of which
two (Syrnium bohndorfi and Corethrura pulchra) are additions
to the ornithology of Angola. The specimens were collected
by M. A. Sesinando Marques in the territory of Muata-
Yamvo.
63. Bull on the Birds of Herefordshire.
| Notes on the Birds of Herefordshire. Contributed by members of the
Woolhope Club, Collected and arranged by the late Henry Graves Bull.
8vo. Londonand Hereford : 1888. |
Some information is no doubt to be gleaned from this
work, although not a few sad instances of ignorance and
credulity are to be met with. We may cite the statements
that the Redwing has bred near Ross, and that the Great
Black Woodpecker has several times been observed in Here-
fordshire. After these, we should like stronger evidence
than mere assertion with regard to the Sooty Tern, said to
have been picked up dead near Marston in May 1885. About
one third of the volume is made up of quotations from Shake-
speare and other poets.
64. Buller’s ‘ Birds of New Zealand,
[A History of the Birds of New Zealand. By Sir Walter Lawry
Buller, Parts I-VI, 1887-88. Folio. London.]
Sir Walter Buller has already made great progress with
his new ‘ History of the Birds of New Zealand,’ of which it is
only necessary to say that the work is as well done as might
have been expected from the author’s unrivalled acquaintance
with the subject. Of the 13 parts which will complete the
work, six are already issued. The first part was noticed in
our January number (Ibis, 1888, p. 133). The next five
prats contain illustrations of the following species :—
Plate 1.
Plate 2.
Plate 1.
Plate 2.
Plate 1.
Plate 2.
Plate 3.
Plate 4.
Plate 5.
Plate 6.
Recently published Ornithological Works.
363
Part II.— October 1887.
Miro australis.
albifrons,
Myiomoira toitoi,
macrocephala.
Certhiparus nove zea-
landiz.
Clitonyx albicapilla.
ochrocephala,
Plate 8, Sphenceacus punctatus.
Anthus nove zealandia.
Plate 4. Rhipidura flabellifera.
fuliginosa.
Part II].—January 1888.
Zosterops czerulescens,
Anthornis melanura,
Prosthemadera
zealandiz.
nove
Plate 3. Pogonornis cincta.
Plate 4. Xenicus longipes.
cilviventris,
Acanthidositta chloris.
Parts IV,, V., VI.— March 1888.
Halcyon yagans.
EKudynamis taitensis,
Gerygone flaviventris,
Chrysococcyx lucidus.
Platycercus auriceps.
nove zealandiz.
alpinus.
Nestor meridionalis.
notabilis,
Plate 7. Stringops habroptilus.
Plate 8. Spiloglaux nove
landiz.
Sceloglaux albifacies.
Plate 9. Circus gouldi.
Plate 10. Harpa novee zealandiz.
Plate 11. Coturnix nove zealandiz.
Plate 12. Carpophaga nove zea -
landize.
zea -
We presume that a numbered list of all the plates will be
given with the final part of the work.
65. Carazz on additions to the Birds of Spezia.
[Appendice ai materiali per una Avifauna del Golfo di Spezia e della Val
di Magra.
Del Dott. Davide Carazzi.
8vo. Spezia: 1887.]
This is a short appendix to the author’s list of the birds of
Spezia (cf. Ibis, 1888, p. 184), and contains the names of
some additional species, and corrections to the former list.
66, 67. Chamberlain on Canadian Birds.
[A Catalogae of Canadian Birds, with Notes on the Distribution of the
Species. By Montague Chamberlain. 8vo.
Saint John, N. B.: 1887.]
[A Systematic Table of Canadian Birds. By Montague Chamberlain,
4to, Saint John, N. B.: 1888. ]
Mr. Chamberlain has lately published two very useful
364 Recently published Ornithological Works.
works on Canadian Birds, and promises us, moreover, a com-
plete bibliography of Canadian Ornithology, which is already
‘well under way.” ‘The Catalogue contains the names of
the North-American Birds as yet known to be met with in
Canada, in systematic order, with notes on the mode and
frequency of their occurrence. ‘The system adopted is that
of the Check-list of the A.O.U. In the subsequently
issued “Systematic Table,” only the names, English and
Latin, are given, together with the higher groups to which
the species are referred. It appears that out of the 1028
species of birds now admitted into the North-American list
551 are registered as Canadian. Mr. Chamberlain in his
preface makes some apposite remarks upon the vexed question
of subspecies.
68. Dubois on the Birds of Belgium.
[Fauna des Vertébrés de la Belgique. Par Alphonse Dubois. Série
des Oiseaux, Tome I. (1876-1887). 4to. Bruxelles: 1887. ]
In this carefully compiled work, Dr. Dubois follows the
old scheme of classification, and, commencing with the Rap-
tores, places the Goatsuckers and Swifts among the Passeres,
far away from the Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, &c., which we are
accustomed to find united with them in the Order Picariz.
The letterpress is, as a rule, excellent, and great pains
have evidently been taken with the geographical distribution,
which is further indicated by small coloured maps accom-
panying each species. ‘Turning over the pages, we see with
some surprise that the author has omitted to notice the
remarkable fact that all the Hawk Owls obtained in the
British Islands have, with one exception, belonged to the
North American, and of to the Palearctic form. Dr. Dubois
distinguishes the slightly smaller and brighter-coloured
Tree Sparrow which inhabits the Malay Peninsula and Java
as Passer montanus, var. malaccensis. The book is rather
bulky and inconvenient for handling, but certainly nothing
so good in quality has hitherto been published in the French
language.
Recently published Ornithological Works. 365
69. Emin Pasha’s Letters and Journals.
[Emin Pasha in Central Africa, being a collection of his letters and
journals, edited and annotated by Professor G. Schweinfurth, Professor
F. Ratzel, Dr. R. W. Felkin, and Dr. G. Hartlaub. Translated by Mrs.
R. W. Felkin. London: 1888. 1 vol., 8vo.]
Few African travellers and explorers have done more for
ornithology than Emin Pasha. Besides his excellent col-
lections, his letters and journals, which are here given to us,
contain many interesting notes on bird-life in Central
Africa, and are well worthy of study. Here, for example, is
what Emin Pasha tells us of the station of Agaru, in the
Shuli country, about 4° N. lat., east of the Nile, and 3700
feet above the sea-level :—“ Like Latuka, Agaru should
yield many treasures to the collector. I found a Weaver-
bird, resembling Hyphantornis spekei, but differing from it
in its white under-jaw and throat; it is probably a new
species. For the first time I met with the superb Pholi-
dauges leucogaster, which appeared to be passing in small
noisy flocks to the north-west. The Beef-eaters (Buphaga
erythrorhyncha), which prove such a sore pest to the cattle,
were particularly numerous and bold. Kingfishers (Halcyon
semicerulea), the beautiful Ispidina picta, and Bee-eaters
(Merops bullockit and M. pusillus) sat on the bushes catching
insects. The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is also fairly common.
Fringillidze appear in legions at this season of the year, being
attracted by the ripening corn. While in Térangole, the
place of the House-Sparrow is taken by the Philagrus
melanorhynchus, it is here represented by the Passer swain-
soni, a bird of the same group. Neither of them, however,
build their nests in the huts. Altogether, the feathered
fauna of this country is more closely allied to that of ADys-
sinia and the Somali-country than to that of our province.”
Emin’s “ zoo-geographical notes,” to which a whole chap-
ter is devoted, are also deserving of careful perusal.
70. Harvie-Brown on the Isle of May.
[The Isle of May: its Faunal Position and Bird-Life. By J. A. Harvie-
Brown. Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edinburgh, ix. p, 803. ]
366 Recently published Ornithological Works.
Although the larger portion of this presidential address
relates to the bird-life of the Isle of May, which lies at the
entrance of the Firth of Forth, yet it is practically one of
Mr. Harvie-Brown’s interesting contributions to the subject
of migration. A map and an illustration of the island—not
unlike Heligoland-in appearance—are given.
71. Le Messurier on Indian Game, Shore, and Water-Birds.
[Game, Shore and Water Birds of India. By Colonel A. Le Mes-
surier, R.E. 8vo. Calcutta: 1888. |
This appears to be a new and revised edition of a work
first printed in 1874, “for private circulation only.” The
arrangement and nomenclature are mostly those of Jerdon,and
are consequently rather antiquated. But Col. Le Messurier’s
Handbook will be, no doubt, of much use to Indian sports-
men who require a convenient and portable volume. The
illustrations will be of material assistance in this way. We
think, however, that the range of each Indian species should
have been concisely stated.
72. Mansel-Pleydell on the Birds of Dorsetshire.
[The Birds of Dorsetshire, a Contribution to the Natural History of the
County. By J.C. Mansel-Pleydell. 8vo. London and Dorchester : 1888. ]
This is a very useful and compact treatise upon the birds
of the above county, not unduly swollen by the introduction
of extraneous matter, but confining itself to the prescribed
limits. It is illustrated by some very good woodcuts by
Mr. G. E. Lodge, and by an adequate number of references
to the standard authorities on British systematic ornithology.
The typographical errors are not afew ; we notice two in the
head-line of Montagu’s Harrier (p. 12), and two (one of an
important date) under the Little Stint; while, owing we
suppose, to unfortunate transpositions, the ‘Ibis List’ is
made responsible for Milvus regalis and Aquila lagopus as the
scientific names, respectively, of the Kite and the Rough-
legged Buzzard, whereas those used were Milvus ictinus and
Archibuteo lagopus! It is rather too bad to manufacture
errors for this List after making the following charge in the
Recently published Ornithological Works. 367
preface :—“ As regards nomenclature—a difficult subject—
the ‘ Ibis List, which should be authoritative (having been
published in 1883 by a committee of the British Ornitholo-
gists’ Union), unfortunately contains many errors which,
considering the reputation of the compilers, ought to have
been avoided.” Now we challenge the writer of this passage
to make good his statement ; for whatever mistakes that List
may contain, we hold that avoidable errors in nomenclature
are not among them, and we consider the above-given re-
marks cast a most unjust slur upon a work to which great
care was devoted by some of the most competent ornitho-
logists of the country.
73. Nehrkorn on his Collection of Eggs.
[ Mittheilungen iiber seine Hiersammlung. Von A. Nehrkorn. Jahresber.
Ver. f. Naturw. z. Braunschweig, v. p. 117. ]
Herr Nehrkorn of Riddagshausen, near Brunswick, a
gentleman well known to many of us, gives a short but
interesting account of his celebrated Collection of Eggs,
which contains altogether examples of over 3000 species.
We do not know the exact extent of the series in the British
Museum, which is probably equally rich; but it is much
desired by ornithologists that steps should be taken to bring
this important part of the National Bird-collection into
better order, so that we may know what it really contains.
74. Pelzeln and Lorenz on types in the Vienna Museum.
[Typen der ornithologischen Sammlung des k. k. naturhistorischen Hof-
museums. Von August von Pelzeln und Dr. Ludwig von Lorenz.
Theil. I., II. Ann. d.k. k. naturhistorisch. Hofmuseums, Wien, 1887,
pp. 191, 339. ]
Messrs Pelzelii and Lorenz continue their useful list of
the ornithological types in the Vienna Museum, of which we
have already spoken (Ibis, 1887, p. 254). In the two parts
now before us the Passerine birds are completed.
75. Ridgway on the Species of Phrygilus.
[On Phrygilus gayi (Eyd. & Gerv.) and allied species. By Robert
Ridgway. Pr. U. 8. Nat. Mus. 1887, p. 431.]
SER. V.—VOL. VI, 2D
368 Recently published Ornithological Works.
Mr. Ridgway holds that the specimen of Phygilus gayi (so
labelled) in the Jardin des Plantes, which was examined by
Sclater and Salvin in 1869 (ef. Ibis, 1869, p. 285), was “ not
the type of that species, but one of Gay’s wrongly identified
specimens.” Mr. Ridgway accordingly makes Hmberiza
aldunateit, Gay,=Fringilla gayi, and Phygilus gayi, Scl. et
Salv.,=P. formosus. This view, however, is not accepted by
Mr. Sharpe in the Catalogue of Birds (xii. p. 781). Mr.
Ridgway now gives the synonymy and characters of this
group of the genus Phrygilus,and includes in it a new species
from Lake Titicaca, which he proposes to call P. punensis.
76. Salvadori on a new Hemixus.
[Descrizione di una Specie del Genere Hemixus raccolta in Sumatra
dal Dott. O. Beccari. Per Tommaso Salvadori. Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor.
Nat. Genova, ser. 2, v. p. 526. ]
The cight examples of Hemixus obtained by Dr. Beccari
on Mount Singalan in Sumatra in 1878, and referred by
Count Salvadori in his list of Dr. Beccari’s collection to
H. malaccensis, prove to belong to a distinct species, pro-
posed to be called Hemixus sumatranus.
77. Salvadori on the Caspian Plover in Italy.
[La Agialitis asiatica (Pall.) trovata per la prima volta in Italia. Nota
di Tommaso Salvadori, Atti R. Accad. Sci. Torino, xxiii. p. 44. ]
On November 15, 1887, a specimen of this very rare
wanderer to Europe was obtained in the flesh from a game-
dealer in Turin, by Signor Enrico Marchisio, being the first
instance of the occurrence of this species in Italy. It
was said to have been shot on the banks of the Metaurus,
fatal, it will be remembered, to the more distinguished
invader Hasdrubal. ‘Two examples of this Plover have been
taken on Heligoland, but, with the exception of one obtained
near Odessa, no others have been recorded on this side of
the Caspian. Jn the reference “ (Mus. Britannico, fide
Saunders), for its occurrence in the Altai Mountains, we
think there must be some mistake.
Recently published Ornithological Works. 369
78. Seebohm on the Distribution of the Limicole.
[The Geographical Distribution of the Family Charadriide, or the
Plovers, Sandpipers, Snipes, and their Allies. By Henry Seebohm, 4to.
London: Sotheran & Co., 1887. |
This handsome work will, we are sure, be received with
favour by all ornithologists, although they may not entirely
sympathize with the views which our energetic coadjutor
has put forward in it. For an account of these views, and
of the cireumstances which have induced the author to bring
them before the public, we must refer our readers to Mr.
Seebohm’s preface—they are not easily explained in a few
lines. It must suffice to remark that they have resulted in
the production of a large quarto volume of more than 500
pages, beautifully illustrated, not only by numerous wood-
cuts inserted in the text, but also by 21 excellent coloured
plates, drawn by the cunning hand of Mr. Keulemans.
Mr. Seebohm expressly disclaims the term of Monograph as
applied to his book, but diagnoses are given of all the species,
and sufficient remarks to render it very useful as a book of
reference. Amongst the species figured we may call special
attention to the Magellanic Plover (Pluvtanellus sociabilis) ,
which for these last fifty years has been only known from
two specimens. In 1887, Mr. Young obtained a third
example out of a flock of five or six individuals in Tova
Harbour on the coast of Patagonia.
We subjoin a complete list of the plates in this volume,
as named by Mr. Seebohm :—
1. Charadrius rubecola. 12. Cursorius cinctus.
; sociabilis. 3. bitorquatus.
3. —— rufiventer. 14. Himantopus pectoralis.
4, —— totanirostris. 15, Tringa ruficollis.
5, —— monachus. 16. Phegornis mitchelli.
6, —— obscurus. V7: cancellatus,
Me tenellus. 18. leucopterus,
8. Lobivanellus albiceps. 19, Rhyncheea semicollaris.
9 superciliosus, 20. Scolopax rochusseni.
10. Vanellus cayanus. 21. —— saturata.
11. Cursorius somalensis.
2D 2
370 Recently published Ornithological Works.
79. Shufeldt on some Birds’ Sterna and Skulls.
[On a Collection of Birds’ Sterna and Skulls, collected by Dr. Thomas
H. Streets. By Dr. R. W. Shufeldt. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1887, p. 377. ]
Dr. Shufeldt gives an account of a collection of sterna and
skulls of birds made by Dr. Streets, of the U.S. Navy, in
the north and south Pacific in 1884-85, and now presented
to the U. 8. National Museum. Several good illustrations
are inserted in the text, amongst which we may call attention
to the figures of two skulls of Corvus corax sinuatus, as likely
to be serviceable to those who pin their faith to exact
measurements.
80. A. C. Smith on the Birds of Wiltshire.
[The Birds of Wiltshire. By the Rev. Alfred Charles Smith, M.A.
London: 1887. ]
This work is described in the preface as being “a plain
account of the Birds of Wiltshire, written by a Wiltshire man
and for Wiltshire people ;” but its bulk is considerably in-
creased by the insertion of a great deal of matter relating to
the author’s experiences abroad, especially in the south of
Europe and in Egypt. These, together with Mr. Smith’s re-
marks upon the vernacular and local names of birds in many
foreign countries, mingled with scraps of folk-lore, will be
very interesting, no doubt, to a larger circle than the inhabi-
tants of Wiltshire, but they have no particular reference to
that county. We will not take exception to the classification
and nomenclature adopted by the author, for he disarms us
by plainly stating that, as a member of the B. O. U., he
honestly tried his very best to fall in with the new scheme as
set forth in the ‘B. O. U. List,’ and gave it up in despair!
This surrender will, however, hardly excuse him for writing
Laniade and Charadriade, and as each of these errors occur
twice, they cannot be attributed to the printer. Again, with
every respect for Mr. Smith’s old-fashioned habits, it is rather
too much to find the Bustards placed among the Struthionide,
and the Petrels included amongst the Laride! Wealso regret
to see the list of Wiltshire birds swollen by the insertion of
such species as the African Buzzard, Great Black Woodpecker,
Recently published Ornithological Works. 371
Gold-winged Woodpecker, Cayenne Rail, and the Canada,
Egyptian, and Spur-winged Geese. Mr. Smith, who finds no
difficulty in assuming that examples of the last two are genuine
wanderers all the way from Africa, rather than unpinioned
birds which have escaped from semi-confinement, questions the
propriety of considering the Mute Swan as a British bird,
although it breeds in a wild state (or did so until quite
recently) no further off than the south of Sweden, and is fre-
quently seen on the wing in thiscountry. We are also sorry
to see that by calling the Little Owl Noctua passerina, instead
of Athene noctua, he conveys the totally erroneous impression
that the Least or Sparrow-Owl has been obtained in Wiltshire,
whereas it has never occurred in any part of our islands.
Perhaps the most interesting portion of the book is that con-
taming the description of the Wiltshire Ravens and the
Raven-trees, still, or until recently, frequented.
81. Sousa on two new Birds from Angola.
[Descripgao de duas especies de Aves de Angola da exploracio do Sr.
José d’Anchieta. Por José Augusto de Sousa. Jorn. Sci. Math. Phys. e
Nat. Lisboa, no. xlvi. p. 105.]
The veteran explorer Anchieta has sent to the Lisbon
Museum the specimens upon which Sr. de Sousa now pro-
poses to found two new species, Chetura anchiete and Cisti-
cola dispar.
82. Sousa on the Birds of Angola.
[Aves de Angola. Por José Augusto de Sousa. Jorn. Sci. Math, Phys.
e Nat. Lisboa, no. xlvi. p. 105.]
In this paper is given a list of 67 species of birds, of which
examples were obtained by Sr. Anchieta at Quissange in the
latter part of 1886. Two new species represented in the
same collection were described in the paper above noticed.
372 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
XXX VIII.—Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
We have received the following letters addressed to the
Editors of ‘ The Ibis : ’—
Brunswick,
April 23, 1888.
Sirs,—In the April number of ‘ The Ibis,’ which I received
from London yesterday, I find an essay by Mr. R. B. Sharpe
(containing descriptions and excellent illustrations of several
new species), “on a Collection of Birds from the Island of
Palawan.” This has been printed simultaneously with a list
of my own of the birds of Palawan, which is appearing just
now in Vienna, in Part il. of the ‘Ornis’ for 1888. My work
is based chiefly upon a large collection of birds made by Dr.
and Mrs. Platen last year at Puerto Princesa in Palawan, in
which there are examples of several species new to science.
At the meeting of the ‘Verein fiir Naturwissenschaft ’
in Brunswick, held on February 2, 1888, I described and
named two of these new species, namely, Prionochilus plateni
(= Pr. johanne, Sharpe, Ibis, 1888, p. 201, pl. iv. fig. 1) and
Prioniturus platene (= Pr. cyaneiceps, Sharpe, ibid. p. 194) ;
and at the meeting of the same Society, held on February 16,
1888, I also described Syrnium wiepkeni (=S. whitehead,
Sharpe, ibid. p. 196, pl. ii.), Stphia platene (=Siphia eri-
thacus, Sharpe, ibid. p. 199, pl. iv. fig. 2), and Hyloterpe
plateni (=H. whiteheadi, Sharpe, ibid. p. 198).
Siphia ramsayi of Palawan, which I also then described,
seems to have been either not obtained by Whitehead, or at
all events not named by Sharpe.
The reports of this Society’s meetings, with the descrip-
tions (recognizable, as I believe) of these new species, were
published in the ‘ Braunschweigische Anzeiger,’ no. 387,
February 12, 1888, p. 335, and no. 52, March 1, 1888,
p. 467.
There can be no doubt, therefore, that my names and
descriptions of the above-mentioned five new species have
priority, and that, in the place of Sharpe’s names, mine
should in future be employed for them.
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 373
Perhaps it will be of some interest to you if I take this
opportunity of giving a list which shows the results of the
collections made by Whitehead and Platen, and of the
essays on them of Sharpe and myself respectively. Sharpe
introduces the following species as collected or observed by
Whitehead, which have not been obtained either recently by
Platen, or formerly by other collectors :—
1. Circus spilonotus (?); 2. Pandion haliaétus (these two
species were only observed, not obtained); 3. Baza leu-
copias, sp.n.; 4. Halcyon coromanda; 5. Collocalia fuci-
phaga (I have in my list mentioned this species in Dr. Platen’s
collection as “ Cypselus lowi,” wrongly as I now see, as the
last-named species is not yet proved to belong to Palawan) ;
6. Batrachostomus cornutus ; 7. Caprimulgus macrurus ; 8.
Cuculus sonneratii; 9. Pericrocotus cinereus (Sharpe men-
tions, evidently erroneously, Lempriére also as an authority
for this species) ; 10. Cryptolopha montis; 11. Pitta erythro-
gastra; 12. Iole striaticeps, sp.u.; 13. Cisticola cisticola ;
14, Munia atricapilla; 15. Turtur tigrina ; 16. Esacus mag-
nirostris ; 17. Glareola orientalis; 18. Numenius lineatus ;
19. Terekia cinerea; 20. Gallinago australis (is this Rhynchea
australis ?); 21. Gallinago fasciata (is this name a printer’s
error for Rallina fasciata?); 22. Herodias intermedia; 23.
Sterna sinensis ; 24. Hydrochelidon hybrida; and 25. Fregata
minor. These 25 species will go to augment my list.
On the other hand, from the Platen collection, I can sup-
plement Sharpe’s list with the following species :—
1. Hypotriorchis severus (Horsf.) ; 2. Spizaetus philippensis
(Gurney) ; 3. Spilornis bacha (Daud.) (Sharpe could only tell
from a wing that a species different from S. pallidus and
S. holospilus occurs in Palawan) ; 4. Ninow scutulata (Rafil.) ;
5. Cuculus canoroides, 8. Mull.; 6. Hierococcyx strenuus,
Gould; 7. Eudynamis mindanensis (Linn.); 8. Pelargopsis
gouldi, Sharpe; 9. Caprimulgus manillensis, G. R. Gray ; 10.
Siphia ramsayi, W. Blas. (a species with which Sharpe’s
description of Siphia lemprieri does not agree) ; 11. Hemiche-
lidon sibirica (Gm.) ; 12. Lalage dominica (P. L. 8. Miill.) ;
13. Artamus leucogaster (Valenc.); 14. Parus amabilis,
374 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
Sharpe; 15. Pitta propinqua (Sharpe) ; 16. Acrocephalus
orientalis (Temm. & Schleg.) ; 17. Sturnia violacea (Bodd.) ;
18. Leucotreron leclancheri (Bp.); 19. Myristicivora bicolor
(Scop.) (a species which, by-the-by, Sharpe himself in
1877 mentioned as observed by Steere in Palawan); 20.
Turtur dussumiert (Temm.); 21. Calenas nicobarica (Linn.) ;
22. Gallus bankiva (Temm.) ; 23. Turnia haynaldi, nov. sp. ;
24. Rallina fasciata (Raffl.) ; 25. Amaurornis phenicura
(Penn.); 26. Charadrius fulvus, Gmel.; 27. Aigialitis vereda
(Gould) ; 28. Limicola platyrhyncha (Temm.) ; 29. Tringa
albescens, Temm.; 30. Bubulcus coromandus (Bodd.) (a
species noticed in 1878 by both Sharpe and Tweeddale, but
now omitted by Sharpe without any reason assigned) ;
31. Sterna melanauchen, Temm.; and 382. Anous stolidus
(Linn.).
All the remaining species seem to appear both in Sharpe’s
and my list, although in some instances under different
names, the differences arising in some cases from simple
difference of nomenclature, in others from divergence of our
opinions concerning the limits of genera and species and
similar causes.
For instance, I consider the following as synonyms :—
(My nomenclature.) (Sharpe’s nomenclature.)
Syrnium wiepkeni, W. Blas. = 8S. whiteheadi.
Scops everetti, Tweedd. = S. fuliginosa, sp. nov.
Prioniturus platene, W. Blas. = P. cyaneiceps, sp. nov.
Centrococcyx javanensis (Dumont) = C. affinis.
Hirundo gutturalis = Hi. rustica:
Siphia platene = S. erithacus.
Hypothymis occipitalis = Ff, azurea.
Muscicapa griseosticta = M. manillensis.
Hyloterpe plateni, W. Blas. = Prionochilus johanne,
Sp. Nov.
Budytes viridis = Motacilla flava.
Broderipus acrorhynchus (Vigors),
var. palawanensis, Tweedd. = Oriolus palawanensis.
Carpophaga enea (Linn.), nov. var.
palawanensis, W. Blas. = C. enea.
Purnia fasciata (Temm.) = T. nigrescens.
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 375
Amongst these I have not included some of the more
familiar synonyms.
Although, from what I have said, there can clearly be no
question as to the priority of my names, I by no means
declare them to be in all cases correct. In several instances
the nomenclature requires more consideration: for instance,
whether the Scops of Palawan should be called S. fuliginosa
or S. everetit (as I have termed it) I will not venture to
decide.
Again, the exact equivalences of Sharpe’s Pelagopsis leuco-
cephala to my P. gouldt, of Sharpe’s Caprimulgus macrurus
to my C. manillensis, of Sharpe’s Siphia lempriert to my
S. ramsayi, of Sharpe’s Pitta erythrogastra to my P. pro-
pinqua (which stand as representing each other in our lists),
need still further examination.
Yours, &c.,
Wit. Brastrvs.
Buaapest,
May 1, 1888.
Sirs,—The Hungarian National Museum has just re-
ceived an example of Syrrhaptes paradoxus, Pall., 9 ad.,
which was shot in Transylvania on the 27th of April. It
is not unlikely that this interesting wanderer will also visit
other countries in the present year.
In the spring of 1863 these rare guests made their ap-
pearance here in great numbers, and our Museum got at
that time three males and one female.
I think it therefore opportune to call the attention of
ornithologists, through the medium of ‘The Ibis,’ to this
occurrence.
Yours &ce.,
Dr. Jutius v. MaparAsz.
Christiania,
May 16, 1888.
Srrs,—I have just received a pair of Syrrhapies para-
doxus killed out of a flock of about thirty on the strand at
376 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
Listorland, in the south of Norway, not far from the Naze,
on May 12th. Five specimens were shot. In my specimens
the testes and ovary were well developed, the eggs being
of about the size of those of a Regulus.
Yours &c.,
R. Couietr.
Topclyffe Grange,
Farnborough, R. 8. 0., Kent,
May 23, 1888.
Sirs,—I have just been spending a few days in Jersey,
where the birdstuffer at St. Heliers (Mr. Thomas Caplin)
showed me a fine pair (male and female) of Syrrhaptes
paradoxus, which were shot on the island on Tuesday, the
15th inst., by Mr. Romeril, and sent in to him for preser-
vation the same day. ‘These two specimens were, he informed
me, shot out of a flock of about eighteen individuals, and
were, so far as he could ascertain, the only two obtained on
the island.
Yours &c.,
H. KE. Dresser.
Costock Rectory, Loughborough,
May 26, 1888,
Sirs,—A beautiful specimen of Pallas’s Sand Grouse was
found by my son near here on May 24th. It had been
killed by striking against the telegraph wires, and the head
nearly severed from the body, but was otherwise in good
condition. It seems to be a male in full plumage, and
weighed 8 oz.
Yours &e.,
C. S. Mizrarp.
22 Corporation Street, Belfast,
May 31st, 1888.
Sirs,—You and the readers of ‘ The Ibis ’ will be interested
to learn that the present visit of Pallas’s Sand Grouse to
England has, as in 1868, extended to Ircland; an cxample
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 377
of this bird, which had been shot a day or two previously
near Hillough, Co. Down, having been brought to me yes-
terday.
I have not yet heard whether the bird was alone or in
company with others, but am inquiring. It was an adult
male bird, 16 inches long, and the two centre tail-feathers
almost 4 inches longer than the others. If I hear of others
turning up I shall let you know.
Yours &c.,
R. Lioyp Patterson.
Nynehead, Wellington, Somerset,
June 5th, 1888,
Sirs,—It may be of interest to you to know the extent of
the invasion of the Sand Grouse. On Sunday afternoon I
was with our Vicar and a friend in his garden, when five of
these birds passed us at a distance of 8 or 10 yards—quite
close enough for us all to observe the pointed wings and tail
and the peculiar colour. The Golden-Plover-lke flight first
attracted our attention; they were passing from S.E. to
N.W. at about 20 fect from the ground. These are the
furthest west that I have heard of. One was killed at Street,
about twenty miles to the east of this, a few days ago.
The spot I saw them in is about a mile and a half N.N.E.
of Wellington Church: the ground about is tolerably free
from trees, and the enclosures vary from 30 to 150 acres
each.
Yours &c.,
W. A. Sanrorp.
Heerengracht 534, Amsterdam,
June dth, 1888.
Srrs,—In ‘ Nature’ I find a note from Mr. Alfred Newton
on the occurrence of Syrrhaptes paradoxus in England. In
Holland also these birds occur at the present moment at
different places and in considerable numbers, so that we have
received several specimens here in the Zoological Gardens.
The gizzard of one that was opened in my presence contained
378 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
barley and different small seeds. If I hear of their breeding
anywhere I will let you know.
Yours &e.,
F. E. Buaauw.
Notes on the Breeding of the Hoatzin.—The following ex-
tracts from a letter addressed to Sclater by Mr. Quelch, of
the British-Guiana Museum, Demerara, dated March 31st,
1888, will be read with interest :—
“T have just been up to the Berbice River and the Canjé
Creek after the Hoatzin. From information given to me I
had ascertained that the birds were laying, but that they had
only just begun. When I went up myself and examined the
district, I found a considerable number of nests in process of
being built, a number of nests with one, others with two,
and a few with three eggs. Two eggs seem to be the usual
complement ; in fact, I was told they never laid more than two
eggs at one nesting, but in a few nests there were certainly
three eggs. In not a single nest did I find any young ones,
nor did I see any birds about which, from their smaller size,
appeared to have been lately hatched. I brought down with
me a considerable number of eggs, some quite fresh, and
others, so far as I can judge from the appearance of the
eges, in different stages of cubation; and in this respect
the conduct of the birds when driven off the nest seemed
to me conclusive. The incubated eggs (sixteen) I have put
into spirit, forty over proof, and will change soon into fresh
spirit. The fresh eggs I am trying to get a hen to hatch
out, but I do not know yet whether I shall succeed.
‘“‘T am going to wait for another three weeks or so, and
then I shall go up and take my zinc pans for the big birds
and what chickens and incubated eggs I can find. Iam
afraid the birds will have to be shot. ‘There is no way of
catching them otherwise. They are fairly plentiful along
the Canjé Creek and the Berbice River; but there is gene-
rally great difficulty in getting close to them, and always so
in regard to the nests. These they make among a very
prickly, spreading, decumbent sort of shrub or small tree,
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 379
which grows in the swamps along the water-side in a thick
dense mass, and into which it is most tedious and difficult
to penetrate. The nests overhang the water, so that from
the land it is out of the question to get at them. From the
water, again, it is a most tedious process. One has to wade,
often up to the thighs, through thick mud, at low tide, and
to cut a way into the prickly growth; and then, by pulling
down the branch bearing the nest (for it is out of the question
to climb), there is a chance of getting the eggs. Often,
however, in the process the eggs jerk out; for the nest is
perfectly shallow and open, consisting only of a few sticks
loosely drawn together. At high tide it is even more tedious,
for the boat has to go where a man otherwise might have
gone at low tide, and this necessitates cutting a large channel.
“‘ However, [am going to try my best to send you a satis-
factory collection.”
The new Irruption of Syrrhaptes paradoxus.—The great
ornithological event of the present summer is the new irrup-
tion of Syrrhaptes paradorus into Western Europe, which
seems likely to attain the development of that of 1863. We
have given above seven letters received on the subject ; and
others have been published by Dr. Meyer in ‘ Nature’
(May 17th and 24th), ‘The Times’ (May 28rd), and else-
where. In this country specimens have been obtained in Notts,
Hertfordshire, and many other localities. Prof. Newton, the
historian of the irruption of 1863 (cf. Ibis, 1864, pp. 186-
222), has kindly undertaken to prepare an account of the
present visitation, and will be glad to receive information on
the subject, especially cuttings from local newspapers, with
date and source specified.
News of Bird-collectors in Foreign Parts.—Mr. W. R.
Davison, M.B.O.U., writes to us that he is now, nearly
settled in his new post at the Raffles Museum, Singapore,
and is getting things into order. He hopes shortly to be
able to make a trip into the native State of Pahang, in the
380 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
Malay Peninsula, where the mountains are said to reach
from 10,000 to 12,000 feet in altitude, and fine novelties
may be expected to occur,
Mr. John Whitehead, who has been in Palawan, and sent
home the fine collection described by Mr. Sharpe in our last
number, will make another expedition up Kinabalu before his
return home, and will doubtless obtain further novelties in
this most interesting locality.
Mr. Godman, whose absence in Mexico was spoken of in
our last number, is expected home in the middle of June,
and has, we hear, made considerable collections in many
departments of zoology.
Canon Tristram has been spending the spring months in
the Canary Islands, and collecting birds with his habitual
energy. We have no doubt that, on his return, our excellent
coadjutor will let us have the benefit of his experiences for
this Journal.
Under the instructions of a joint Committee of the Royal
Society and British Association, of which Prof. Flower is
the Chairman, an attempt is being made to obtain a better
knowledge of the Fauna and Flora of the Lesser Antilles.
Mr. George A. Ramage, the naturalist employed by the
Committee, has commenced his labours in Dominica, where
he receives the efficient support of Dr. Nicholls, and will
pass on subsequently to the more northern islands of the
Leeward group.
Mr. C. M. Woodford, who so efficiently explored the orni-
thology of the Solomon Islands (see P. Z. S. 1888, pt. i1.),
has departed on a new expedition to some of the less-known
adjoining groups of the South Pacific, such as the Louisiades
and Santa-Cruz group, where this excellent collector will, no
doubt, make many discoveries.
From Petermann’s ‘ Mittheilungen’ we learn that General
Prjevalsky will start in August next on his fourth journey into
Central Asia. He will be equipped for two years’ travel,
the ultimate destination of his expedition being Lhassa, the
capital of Tibet. The General will be accompanied by an
escort of 28 persons, including 12 Cossacks and two scien-
Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c. 381
tific companions, Lieutenant Robrowsky and Sub-Lieutenant
Koslow.
Obituary.— Mr. H. Pryer and M. M. N. Bogdanow.
From the ‘Times’ of April 23rd we learn of the death,
in Japan, on the 17th of February, of Mr. Harry Prysr,
C.M.Z.S., the Yokohama naturalist, at the early age of 37.
When Mr. Pryer went to Japan in 1870 he was already
known as an active Fellow of the Entomological Society of
London. In the intervals of a busy mercantile career he
interested himself in Japanese natural history, and soon
became a recognized authority on the subject. In conjunc-
tion with Captain T. Blakiston, he wrote the very useful list
of the Birds of Japan, published in the 10th volume of the
‘Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan’ in 1882. To
the 11th volume of the same journal he contributed an article
upon the Butterflies of Japan, and in 1886 published the first
number of an illustrated work on the same subject, entitled
‘Rhopalocera Nihonica.’ Mr. Pryer was not only an assi-
duous collector, but a keen observer and a practical investi-
gator, and his researches on the parasites of the silkworm
have been of material advantage to the silk-culture of Japan.
His house and garden were filled with valuable specimens
of animals, living and dead, and the loss sustained by the
European community through his death is shared by the
Japanese, who recognize the valuable services he rendered
to them in connexion with the establishment and maintenance
of the museum at Tokio.
Mopzst N. Bogpanow, for some years head of the Orni-
thological Department of the Imperial Academy of Science
in St. Petersburg, died on the 16th of March. He succeeded
Valerian von Russow (whose death from smallpox was
recorded in ‘ The Ibis’ m 1879) in the charge of the valuable
collection of birds in the Imperial Museum, but was com-
pelled by failing health to relinquish his post a year or
two ago in favour of Theodor Pleske, whose works on the
‘Ornithologie der St. Petersburgcr Gouvernements’ and the
‘Saugethiere und Vogel der Kola-halbinsel’ are familiar to
382 Letters, Extracts, Notices, &c.
all ornithologists interested in the distribution of birds in
Russia. Professor Bogdanow’s important contributions to
ornithological literature are very little known in this country,
in consequence of their being written in the Russian lan-
guage ; but MS. translations of his three most important
works, ‘The Mammals and Birds of the Black-earth Regions
of the Volga’ (published in Kazan in 1871), ‘The Birds of
the Caucasus’ (Kazan, 1879), and ‘A Monograph of the
Russian Shrikes’ (St. Petersburg, 1881) are in Mr. Seebohm’s
library, and have been consulted and appreciated by many
ornithologists. In 1884 the first part of his ‘Conspectus
Avium Imperi Rossici’ was published at St. Petersburg, and
is accessible in the library of the Zoological Society. It is
deeply to be regretted that the talented author has not lived
to complete this important work.
News of Emin Pasha.—A letter lately received by Prof.
Flower from Emin Pasha is dated “ Tunguru Island, Lake
Albert, Oct. 31st, 1887,” and announces the despatch of two
boxes of bird-skins and other objects to the British Museum.
The Albert Lake, he observes, has never been previously
_ visited by a naturalist, and he hopes to discover many novel-
ties. He had just shot a specimen of what was apparently
Larus fuscus, the most southern locality yet known to him
for this bird.
ne PS:
FIFTH SERIES. ©
No. XXIV. OCTOBER 1888.
XXXIX.—Further Descriptions of new Species of Birds dis-
covered by Mr. John Whitehead on the Mountain of Kina
Balu, Northern Borneo. By R. Bown ier Suarpe, F.LS.,
F.Z.S., &c.*
(Plates [X.-XII.)
Mr. Joun Wurtrueap left Labuan on the 15th of December
last, and ascended the great mountain of Kina Balu for the
‘second time. The discoveries of this expedition are uo less
remarkable than those of the first; but as, by the time that
these lines are in print, Mr. Whitehead may be expected in
England, I do not propose to do more than give a very few
notes on some of the actual novelties and extreme rarities of
which he has sent me specimens. Of the rest of the acts of
Mr. Whitehead, of the collections he has made, and of the
nests and eggs he has found during his four years’ travel in
the Malay Archipelago, I hope he will himself give an ac-
count. Attention should be especially drawn to the Ceylonese
affinities of some of the new genera described in this paper.
Fam. Corvin.
1. CissA JEFFERYI, Sp. n.
Adult male. General colour above bright emerald-green ;
* See Ibis, 1887, p. 435, for previous paper on this subject.
SER. V.—VOL. VI. 25
384: Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe on
scapulars like the back, with greenish-white edges, as well as
the upper tail-coverts ; lesser wing-coverts green externally,
reddish on inner web; remainder of coverts deep claret-red
or maroon; the bastard-wing and primary-coverts reddish
brown; quills claret-red, the primaries reddish brown, the
inner secondaries greenish white, except on the outer web,
which is for the most part claret-red ; tail-feathers green,
with a slight bluish tinge, tipped with greenish white, all
but the centre feathers with a black subterminal bar; crown
of head bright emerald-green; a narrow line at base of
nostrils; lores, eyebrow, feathers round eye, sides of face,
and ear-coverts black, forming a broad band, which encircles
the nape; cheeks and under surface of body light emerald-
green ; under wing-coverts and axillaries ashy brown, washed
with green; quills below coppery brown: “bill and skin
round the eye deeper vermilion than the legs, which are
deep vermilion; iris white, with a very pale pink tinge”
(J. W.). Total length 11 inches, culmen 1°25, wing 5:3,
tail 4°1, tarsus 1:7.
Adult female. Similar to the male, but a trifle more bluish.
Total length 11 inches, culmen 1'1, wing 5:2, tail 4°8,
tarsus 1°6,
Nos. 2046, 2222. Mr. Whitehead writes:—“I expect
this is a new species, as it is quite distinct from Cissa minor,
and I should like it named after my father, Cissa jefferyi.
The note of this bird is quite distinct from that of C. minor.
I first met with it in pairs, at 8000 feet; but I afterwards
found it at 4000 feet, where it closely approaches the range
of C. minor. I fancy the alpine bird has a more greenish
tinge than the latter species, which is met with at a lower
altitude. While C. minor frequents the thick growth which
springs up in a couple of years after the rice-crops, Cissa
jefferyi never leaves the virgin forest.”
The green colouring in all the species of Cissa is so evan-
escent and so liable to change to blue, or vice versd, that I
do not attach much importance to any difference in this
respect between the two forms found on Kina Balu; and the
fact that the female bird happens to be a little more blue
Birds from Kina Balu. 885
than the male does not amount to much. The great differ-
ence between C. jefferyi and C. minor is found in the whitish
inner secondaries, which have no subterminal black bar at all,
and the bar before the end of the tail-feathers is very much
narrower.
Fam. Muscicarip#.
2. MuscicaPuza Macuxata (Tick.); Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit.
Mus. iv. p. 207.
No. 1907. “ Met with from 3000 to 8000 feet. Ihave a
nest with one egg. Bill, feet, and iris black.” I cannot see
any difference between this male bird and specimens from
the Himalayas. The bird Mr. Whitehead sends as the
female is undoubtedly the same as my Muscicapula wester-
manni (P. Z. 8. 1888, p. 270), so that if these two birds are
sexes of one species, the latter may have to be separated on
the female alone, as the males appear to be exactly alike,
while M. westermanni is certainly different from any Hima-
layan specimens of M. maculata.
8. MuscicaPuta HYPERYTHRA (Blyth); Sharpe, ¢. c. p. 206.
Nos. 1957, 2325. ‘ Bill and iris black; legs dirty white.
From 4000 to 8000 feet. I found a nest and eggs, but the
latter were hard set.”
Apparently identical with Himalayan specimens. New to
Borneo.
4. CryPToLoPHa TRIVIRGATA (Strickl.); Sharpe, ¢.c. p. 396.
Nos. 2072, 2106. “Iris black; bill dark brown; feet
slaty grey ; soles yellow. Met with from 5000 to 9000 feet.”
This species is also recorded from Borneo for the first
time.
5. RHINOMYIAS GULARIS, sp. 0.
Adult male. General colour above dark ochraceous brown
of a russet tint ; upper tail-coverts more rufous brown; wing-
coverts like the back, the median and greater coverts dusky,
edged with the same colour as the back ; bastard-wing,
primary-coverts, and quills dusky brown, edged with rufous
brown, the inner secondaries with dusky cross-bars under
2E2
386 Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe oz
certain lights ; tail-feathers blackish, externally rufous brown,
the centre ones with dusky cross-bars under certain lights ;
crown of head like the back, but a little more dingy towards
the forehead; lores dusky, surmounted by a white streak
passing into an eyebrow of dull ashy grey; feathers round
eye, sides of face, ear-coverts, and cheeks reddish brown; the
chin and sides of throat a little more dusky ; throat creamy
white ; sides of neck like the mantle; fore neck and chest
ashy olive, slightly washed with ochreous brown ; breast light
ashy grey, paler towards the abdomen, which is white; sides
of body, flanks, and thighs dull ashy, washed with ochreous
brown ; under tail-coverts pale fawn-buff ; under wing-coverts
and axillaries dull ashy, with whitish edges ; quills below
dusky, ashy fulvous along the inner edge: “ bill black; legs
whitish blue ; iris hazel” (J. W.). Total length 5°9 inches,
culmen 0°7, wing 3°4, tail 2°3, tarsus 0°95.
Female (immature). Like the male, but with tawny-rufous
tips to the greater wing-coverts and upper tail-coverts; the
throat purer white, and the abdomen with a few dusky tips
to some of the white feathers. Total length 5:8 inches,
culmen 0°7, wing 3, tail 2°2, tarsus 0°9.
Nos. 2083, 2323. ‘ A brown Flycatcher, found from 3000
to 7000 feet. I have a nest and two eggs.”
The large size of this species, its ashy-grey flanks and
breast, distinct ashy eyebrow and rufous ear-coverts, all easily
distinguish it from its nearest ally, R. pectoralis.
Fam. Turpip2.
6. MERULA SEEBOHMI, sp. n.
Adult male. General colour above, including the wings
and tail, black ; head, entire sides of face, ear-coverts, cheeks,
throat, and chest black, the latter rather more sooty black ;
abdomen, breast, and sides of body rich chestnut, the lower
abdomen white; flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts black,
the latter with white centres to the feathers, tinged with
tawny buff; under wing-coverts and axillaries blackish, the
latter fringed with whitish at the ends; quills below blackish,
Birds from Kina Balu. 387
a little more ashy along the inner edge. Total length 9°6
inches, culmen 0°95, wing 5:2, tail 4°2, tarsus 1°45.
Female (not quite adult). Browner than the male, and
having the chestnut underparts rather duller. Some pale
centres to the wing-coverts make it appear that the specimen
is not quite full-plumaged, and the primaries have ashy mar-
gins, ‘Total length 9°5 inches, culmen 0°95, wing 4°7, tail 4,
tarsus 1°35.
Nos. 1923, 1961. ‘‘ Met with from 8000 to 12,000 feet.
More common about 9000 feet amongst the stunted and
weather-beaten trees.”
““This species is very similar to M. javanica, but is black
where the latter is brown. I wish it to be named after Mr.
Seebohm, who is interested in Thrushes.”
7. CETTIA OREOPHILA, Sp. 2.
Adult male. General colour above dark olive-brown, the
wing-coverts like the back, the greater coverts and quills a
trifle more russet-brown ; tail-feathers brown, externally
lighter brown, like the back ; crown of head like the back ;
lores dusky, surmounted by a narrow eyebrow of yellowish
buff; eyelid yellowish buff; sides of face and ear-coverts
dark olive-brown, washed with ashy ; cheeks and under sur-
face of body pale ashy grey, the fore neck and sides of chest
washed with brown; abdomen a little whiter; sides of body
and flanks ochreous olive-brown, with silky white bases to
some of the flank-feathers ; thighs more reddish brown ; under
tail-coverts like the flanks ; under wing-coverts and axillaries
white, with a tinge of olive-yellow along the bend of the
wing ; quills below dusky, ashy whitish along the inner edge:
“upper mandible dark brown, the lower one yellow at base ;
legs pale brown; iris dark brown” (J. W.). Total length
4°8 inches, culmen 0°5, wing 2°05, tail 2°2, tarsus 0°95.
Adult female. Similar to the male, with the grey of the
throat very strongly mottled and overspreading the entire
breast. Total length 4°8 inches, culmen 0°55, wing 1°9, tail
2, tarsus 0°9.
Nos. 1937, 1967. ‘* Met with from 7000 to 12,000 feet.”
388 Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe on
This species resembles Cettia fortipes of the Himalayas,
but is easily distinguished by its ashy grey throat and breast.
These birds are placed in the genus Ce/tia by Mr. Seebohm,
but they seem to me to belong to at least a distinct sub-
genus, and, but for the weight of his authority, I should have
preferred to call this new species Horornis oreophila.
Fam. Pycnonotipaz.
OreEoctistTEs *, gen. n.
Genus simile generi “ Kelaartia”’ dicto, sed rostro breviore et
crassiore, caudé magis rotundata, et fasciis auricularibus
absentibus distinguendum.
The type is
8. OREOCTISTES LEUCOPS, sp. n. (Plate IX. fig. 1.)
Adult male. General colour above dull olive-greenish, the
feathers dusky in the centre, with olive margins; wing-
coverts like the back; bastard-wing, primary-coverts, and
quills dusky brown, edged with rather lighter olive-yellow,
particularly the primaries, the inner secondaries resembling
the wing-coverts ; tail-feathers blackish, externally olive-
yellowish, the ends narrowly fringed with whity brown;
crown of head dusky, the feathers edged with dark ashy,
producing a scaled appearance, many of them, on the nape
especially, washed with olive-yellowish ; centre of forehead
hike the head ; lores, eyebrow, feathers round eye, sides of face,
cheeks, and throat white, the hinder ear-coverts and hinder
part of eyebrow light earthy brown ; lower throat, fore neck,
and chest light ashy brown, some of the feathers edged with
pale olive-yellow, the sides darker brown; breast and abdo-
men white, with a slight tinge of yellow; sides of body,
flanks, and thighs dark brown, with an olive tinge; vent
and under tail-coverts bright yellow; under wing-coverts
and axillaries white tinged with yellow; edge of wing
bright yellow; quills below dusky, ashy fulvous along the
inner edge: “bill, feet, and iris black” (J. W.). Total
length 7°3 inches, culmen 0°55, wing 3°45, tail 3°45, tarsus
0°85.
“i opos, MONS | KTIOTNS, colonus.
Birds from Kina Balu. 389
Adult female. Exactly like the male, but the ashy colour
on the chest not quite so sharply emphasized. Total length
7°5 inches, culmen 0°6, wing 3:3, tail 3°4, tarsus 0°75.
Nos. 1931, 2063. ‘‘Only met with between 7000 and
8000 feet.’’
Fam. TiMeLupa#.
ALLocorors*, gen. n.
Genus simile generi “ Melanocichla”’ dicto, sed pileo et genis
nudis facile distinguendum.
The type is
9. ALLOCOTOPS CALVUS, Sp. 1.
Adult male. General colour above dull chocolate-brown ;
bastard-wing and primary-coverts blackish; quills and tail-
feathers blackish brown, externally dull chocolate-brown ;
crown of head, lores, space round the eye, cheeks, and sides
of throat bare and yellow; ear-coverts chocolate-brown, like
the head; centre of the throat and under surface of body
sooty brown, inclining to ashy: “ bare part of head yellow ;
feet brownish yellow, more brown than yellow” (J. W.).
Total length 10-2 inches, culmen 1'1, wing 5, tail 4°7, tarsus
1-15.
Adult female. Similar to the male, and with an equally
bald head. ‘otal length 10 inches, culmen 1, wing 4, tail
4°4, tarsus 1°35.
Young male. Of the same colour as the adults, but with
the crown feathered; the under surface slightly more ashy.
“‘ Native name ‘ Rigo-rigo.’ Local. Met with from 3000
to 4000 feet, but not common anywhere.”
10. BrRacHYPTERYX ERYTHROGYNA, Sp. n.ft (Plate X.)
Adult male. Entirely dark indigo-blue; wings black, ex-
ternally dark indigo ; tail-feathers black ; from the base of
the forehead to above the eye a half-concealed streak of silky
white: “ bill, feet, and iris black” (J. W.). Totallength 5:7
inches, culmen 0°65, wing 2°45, tail 2, tarsus 1°15.
Adult female. General colour above indigo or slaty blue,
* a\dkoros, insuetus; ay, facies.
+ epvdpds, ruber; yuvt, femina.
390 Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe on
the scapulars like the back; lower back mixed with reddish
brown; rump of the latter colour, deepening towards the
upper tail-coverts, which are deep chestnut; lesser wing-
coverts like the back, with dull rufous margins; median
and greater coverts, bastard-wing, primary-coverts, and quills
dusky blackish, edged with deep chestnut, especially distinct
on the latter, which appear chestnut; tail-feathers deep
chestnut-brown; crown of head chestnut-brown, more dingy
on the hind neck, which is slightly mixed with the blue of
the back ; forehead, lores, eyebrow, sides of face, ear-coverts,
cheeks, and under surface of body rich chestnut; sides of
body, flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts rather deeper in
colour and more chestnut-brown; under wing-coverts and
axillaries deep chestnut ; quills below dusky, more ashy along
the inner edge. Total length 5°3 inches, culmen 0°6, wing
2°4, tail 1:9, tarsus 1°15.
This species has a certain resemblance to the male of
B. cruralis, but instead of having a distinct white eyebrow,
it has only a half-concealed white mark on the sides of the
crown. The female is of course quite different from the hen
of any other species of the genus.
Nos. 2062, 2084, 2085. ‘Met with from 4000 to 9000
feet, but nowhere common.”
ANDROPHILUS*, gen. n.
Genus simile generi “ Elaphrornis ”’ dicto, sed plumulis nucha-
libus absentibus distinguendum.
The type is
11. ANDROPHILUS ACCENTOR, sp.n. (Plate IX. fig. 2.)
Adult male. General colour above uniform rufous brown
or dark chestnut, the feathers of the lower back and rump
extremely lax; upper tail-coverts like the rump; wing-
coverts, quills, and tail-feathers dusky brown, edged with the
same colour as the back ; crown of head a little more dingy
than the back ; lores dusky, surmounted by a line of dusky
grey, scarcely forming an eyebrow; sides of face and ear-
* aynp, homo; piriéw, amo.
Birds from Kina Balu. 391
coverts reddish brown, washed with grey, with ashy shaft-
lines ; cheeks and sides of throat dark slaty grey, spotted
with black, especially along the malar line; throat ashy
white, spotted with black ; sides of neck rufous brown, washed
with grey; fore neck and breast light slaty grey, the former
with black spots ; abdomen ashy whitish, washed with rufous
brown; sides of body and flanks dark rufous brown, as also
the thighs and under tail-coverts ; under wing-coverts and
axillaries dusky brown, with rufous edges; quills below
dusky brown, ashy along the inner edge: “ bill black, greyish
at base of lower mandible ; legs dark brown ; iris dark brown”
(J. W.). Total length 5°8 inches, culmen 0°6, wing 2°3, tail
2°35, tarsus 0°95.
Adult female. Similar to the male, but with less grey on
the face and chest, which are more rufous brown. ‘Total
length 6 inches, culmen 0°6, wing 2°2, tail 2°4, tarsus 0°9.
Nos. 1939, 2087. “A peculiar little bird, with a throat
like an Alpine Accentor. Met with at 7000 feet, never met
with above or below.”
I have chosen the generic name from the extraordinary
tameness of this bird and the Corythocichla, both of which,
Mr. Whitehead says, were difficult to shoot from their
persistence in closely following the observer.
12. CoryTHOCICHLA CRASSA, sp. 0.
Adult male. General colour above streaked, the feathers
being light brown in the centre, with paler shaft-streaks and
broad black edges ; scapulars like the back; lower back and
rump uniform brown; upper tail-coverts slightly more red-
dish brown, with whitish shaft-streaks ; wing-coverts dusky,
externally light reddish brown, with pale shaft-lines; the
bastard-wing similarly marked; primary-coverts and quills
dusky brown, externally pale brown, slightly more olive on
the primaries ; tail-feathers dusky brown, externally dull
earthy brown; crown of head, nape, and hind neck blacker
than the back, but similarly pale-centred and showing white
shaft-streaks ; forehead and lores white, as also a narrow
eyebrow, the latter sormewhat tinged with ashy; feathers
392 Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe on
round eye and a streak above the ear-coverts black ; sides of
face, ear-coverts, and hinder cheeks pale tawny buff, with
ashy-whitish shaft-lines, the upper ear-coverts edged with
black ; fore part of cheeks and throat white, shading off into
delicate ashy on the fore neck; sides of neck like the back,
but with broader pale centres ; chest and remainder of under
surface bright tawny buff, with slightly indicated dusky
margins and shaft-lines of tawny whitish ; sides of body and
flanks browner, but with pale shaft-lines ; thighs dingy brown ;
under tail-coverts like the flanks and similarly streaked ;
under wing-coverts and axillaries dusky brown, with tawny-
buff shaft-lines ; quills below dark sepia-brown, slightly more
ashy along the inner edge: ‘‘ upper mandible black, the lower
one greyish at base; feet dark brown; iris brown” (J. W.).
Total length 5°3 inches, culmen 0°7, wing 2°7, tail 1:9,
tarsus 1°1.
Adult female. Similar tothe male. Total length 5 inches,
culmen 0°6, wing 2°65, tail 1°7, tarsus 1°15.
Nos. 1994, 2081. ‘‘ Only between 7000 and 8000 feet.”
To judge by descriptions this new species must approach
C. epilepidota of Sumatra, a species which is only known to
me from the types in the Leiden Museum. On referring to
my characters of these birds given in the ‘ Notes from the
Leiden Museum ’ (vol. vi. p. 172), it would seem that the
Kina-Balu bird is much larger and stouter than C. epilepi-
dota, and is distinguished by its ochre or tawny-buff under
surface, tawny-buff ear-coverts, &c., and many other points,
which can be seen at a glance by comparing the descriptions
of the two species.
CHLOROCHARIS, gen. nD.
Genus simile generi “ Cyanoderma”’ dicto, sed cauda magis
quadrata nec rotundata.
The type is
13. CHLOROCHARIS EMILIA, Ssp.n. (Plate XI. fig. 1.)
Adult male. General colour above light olive-green, the
lesser and median coverts like the back; greater coverts,
bastard-wing, primary-coverts, quills, and tail-feathers dusky
Birds from Kina Balu. 393
blackish, edged with the same colour as the back, a little
brighter and more olive-yellow on the primary-coverts and
quills ; crown of head dusky brown, washed with olive-green ;
the occiput and nape like the back ; base of forehead washed
with olive-yellow ; lores and feathers above and below the
eye black ; a distinct eyebrow of olive-yellow ; eyelid black ;
sides of face, ear-coverts, and cheeks olive-yellow, rather
greener posteriorly, like the sides of the neck; throat and
under surface of body pale olive-green, yellower on the centre
of the breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts ; sides of body,
flanks, and thighs light olive-green ; under wing-coverts and
axillaries whitish, edged with olive-yellow, the edge of the
wing green ; quills below dusky, ashy white along the inner
edge: “bill brown, the lower mandible pale yellowish orange ;
nasal operculum black; tarsus brown, toes brownish yellow ;
claws brown; iris hazel” (J. W.). ‘Total length 5:5 inches,
culmen 0°7, wing 2°75, tail 2°1, tarsus 0°85.
Adult female. Similar to the male. Total length 5 inches,
culmen 0°7, wing 2°6, tail 1:9, tarsus 0°9.
Nos. 2077, 2079. “I do not know well what to call this
species, but it is most Finch-like in its ways. Found from
7000 to 12,000 feet.”
Fam. CaPironipz.
14. MrgaL“Ma PULCHERRIMA, sp.n. (Plate XI. fig. 2.)
Adult male. General colour above grass-green, all the
feathers edged with lighter green ; wing-coverts like the
back ; bastard-wing and primary-coverts green; quills
blackish, externally green, yellowish along the edge of the
primaries towards their tips, the innermost secondaries
entirely green ; tail-feathers green, bluish below; crown of
head beautiful cobalt-blue as far as the nape; sides of
crown golden green from above the eye; hind neck orna-
mented with a distinct collar of golden yellow; lores black,
washed with cobalt-blue, a line of which colour skirts their
lower edge to the eye; above the latter a small streak of
cobalt-blue ; sides of face, ear-coverts, and cheeks golden
green, the fore part of the latter cobalt-blue, like the throat ;
394 Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe on
remainder of under surface of body emerald-green, with a
wash of golden green on the fore neck and breast; on each
side of the lower throat a spot of bright golden yellow, like
the collar on the neck; sides of body and flanks more grass-
green, the latter with paler green edges; thighs green, yel-
lowish on their inner aspect ; under tail-coverts light emerald-
green; under wing-coverts and axillaries pale yellow, slightly
washed with green; quills below dusky, yellow along the
inner edge: “bill black; feet scaly green; iris black”
(J. W.). Total length 7°8 inches, culmen 0°8, wing 3:7, tail
2°35, tarsus 0°95.
Adult female. Similar to the male, but with an enormously
large bill (!), the colour of the sides of the crown and the
sides of the face golden yellow, not so bright as the collar on
the neck, but not so green as in the male. Total length 8°3
inches, culmen 0°95, wing 3°6, tail 2°3, tarsus I.
Nos. 1916, 2026. “Found from 5000 to 8000 feet, but
very local.”
It is difficult to find the nearest ally of this beautiful
Barbet, which is quite distinct from any other species of
Megalema. Perhaps the nearest is /. henricii, which has a
blue throat and.some blue on the crown; but the Kina-Balu
bird has no yellow on the forehead and eyebrow, and has a
golden-yellow collar instead of a red one.
Fam. CucuLip2.
15. Hrerococcyx socki, Wardlaw Ramsay, Ibis, 1886,
p. 157.
Nos. 2257, 2302. Ad. ¢ 9. “ Bill yellow at base, greenish
yellow at tip, culmen dark brown; feet yellow; iris dark
brown.”
Compared with the type in the Tweeddale collection.
16. CucuLus POLIOCEPHALUS.
No. 2202. 9. “Bill black; bare skin round eye, legs,
and gape king’s yellow ; eye yellow.” Only met with at 8000
feet. Note very hike that of a Megalema. |
“ T send two species of Cuckoo, which seem to be resident
Birds from Kina Balu. 395
birds. These Cuckoos are very fond of crying out, or rather
whistling, in the middle of the night.”
Both these Cuckoos I have submitted to Captain Shelley,
who confirms the identifications. They are both of them
new to Borneo.
Fam, Troconip2.
17. Harpactes oreskios (T.) ; Gould, Monogr. Trogon.
pl. 46.
No, 2143. g. ‘Eye black; gape cobalt, darker on lower
bill. Skin round eye whitish cobalt. Feet slaty cobalt.”
This male seems to be identical with specimens from Tenas-
serim.
18. HarpactEs WHITEHEAD, sp.n. (Plate XII.)
Adult male. General colour above bright cinnamon ; scapu-
lars like the back; wing-coverts black, finely barred with white
cross lines; bastard-wing similarly marked; primary-coverts
black ; quills black, with a distinct white margin ; secondartes
black, externally lined with white, like the wing-coverts ;
upper tail-coverts like the back; two centre tail-feathers
deep cinnamon, with a broad black tip; the next pair black,
with a chestnut shaft, the remainder black, with black shafts
and some white near the end of the outer web, the outer fea-
thers white for nearly the terminal half and for a good distance
along the outer web ; crown of head brilliant scarlet ; lores
black ; ear-coverts scarlet, like the head ; throat black, shading
off into slaty grey on the fore neck; the chest pearly grey,
extending in a kind of crescent up the sides of the throat,
the lateral feathers tipped with scarlet; remainder of under
surface of body brilliant scarlet, deeper below the grey chest ;
abdomen slightly paler and more rose-coloured; thighs black-
ish, with cinnamon ends; under tail-coverts like the back;
under wing-coverts black ; quills below black, with a white
patch at the back: “ bill and bare cheeks blue, as well as the
bare patch round the eye; feet dull brownish pink ; iris red-
dish brown” (J. W.). Total length 12 inches, culmen 0°9,
wing 5°2, tail 6:5, tarsus 0°55.
Adult female. Differs from the male in having the head
896 Mr. G. C. Norman on the Geographical
cinnamon, as well as the lower parts from the chest down-
wards, which are scarlet in the male; the wing-coverts and
secondaries barred with ochreous brown instead of white.
Total length 12 inches, wing 5'5, tail 7.
Nos. 2300, 2373. 4000 feet.
The beautiful red head and grey chest of this species dis-
tinguish it at a glance from H. kasumba, H. hodgsoni, and,
in fact, from every known species of the genus. It is quite
a Trogon apart. The colour of the bill and face are from a
coloured sketch sent by Mr. Whitehead, who, if he had not
been a born traveller, would have made his mark as an artist.
19. Carprornaca Banta (Rafil.); Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 291.
No. 1906. g. ‘Eye pale dull yellow; skin round eye,
cere, and feet dirty pink. A very local species, as yet met
with only in one forest.”
This fine Pigeon is now recorded from Borneo for the first
time, though Count Salvadori hints that it is a species likely
to occur in the island.
XL.—Note on the Geographical Distribution of the Crested
Cuckoos (Coccystes). By G. C. Norman, F.Z.S.
Or this Old-World genus I am able to recognize seven dis-
tinct species, of which one is Palearctic or, rather, Mediter-
raneo-Persic, in its distribution, one is strictly Indian, one is
Indo-Ethiopian, and all the rest are absolutely Ethiopian. —
The material for the present paper consists chiefly of the
large series of skins in the British Museum and in the col-
lection of Captain Shelley, who is at present engaged in
describing the species of Cuculide. I have therefore confined
my observations to the geographical aspects of the question,
this paper having been in preparation before Captain Shelley
was working at the group, and I have to thank him for the
loan of his private collection, which contains a fine series of
the African species. Mr. Seebohm has likewise very kindly
placed his specimens of Coccystes at my disposal; and I
am also much obliged to Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe for many
valuable hints in my studies.
Distribution of the Crested Cuckoos. 397
1. CoccysTES GLANDARIUS.
The Great Spotted Cuckoo does not seem to be plentiful
in any part of Europe, except the southern half of the Iberian
peninsula; very few have occurred in the south of France,
Italy, and Greece, whilst its wanderings to Great Britain and
to Germany are purely accidental. It has been found to
the eastward as far as the neighbourhood of Shiraz, in Persia ;
but even there its visits seem to be somewhat irregular, as
will be seen from the note by Sir Oliver St. John, given
below. In all parts of Northern Africa, from Mogador to
Egypt, the species is apparently resident, and on migration
it would seem to be found throughout the African continent
as far as the Cape of Good Hope.
PALAZARCTIC REGION.
Evurorr. Portugal.‘ Scarce in the neighbourhood of
Oporto. On May 23, 1880, two of these birds flew close
over my head near Leca de Palmeira Creek, and specimens
have been obtained at Ovar and near Oporto. It appears to
prefer the neighbourhood of marshy ground” (Tait, Ibis,
1887, p. 307).
Spain.—Common in Andalucia, and at least as far north
as Aranjuez, in New Castille, where it is very abundant.
Obtained as early as 2nd March (H. Saunders, Ibis, et in
iitt.). A specimen in the museum at Santander (Irby, Ibis,
1883, p. 179).
France.—Roux states that he saw it several times in Pro-
vence in young plumage. Jaubert has never seen it himself,
but possessed a specimen from near Montpelier. It is evi-
dently an accidental spring visitor in the south of France
(Jaub. et Barth.-Lapomm., Rich. Orn. p. 338). Accidental
in the Gard; once shot in May; a second procured near
Montpelier (Crespon, Orn. Gard, p. 268). Mentone (Mog-
gridge, Ibis, 1864, p. 406).
Italy.—Accidental in Italy, most frequently in Liguria
(Salvad. Elench. Uce. Ital. p. 72). Very rare and accidental
in Liguria in spring; Tuscany, Rome, Naples (Giglioli, Avif.
Ital. p.210). Near Pisa, April ; Genoa, March (Giglioli, Ibis,
398 Mr. G. C. Norman on the Geographical
1881, p. 191). Occasional near Naples (Goldlin, J. f. O.
1881, p. 190).
Sicily.—Accidental, especially on the west coast. Speci-
mens in the museums of Catania and Syracuse, Messina (Do-
derlein, Avif. Sicil. p. 54).
Malta.—Extremely rare; only three specimens obtained
(Wright, Ibis, 1864, p. 50).
Greece.—Not mentioned by Lindermayer. One received
from Zadkonoa, where apparently it is not rare (Miihle, Orn.
Griechenl. p. 29). Rare in Greece; a young bird from the
market in the Athens Museum (Kriiper, J. f. O. 1875,
p. 279).
Great Britain and Ireland.—I\sland of Omagh [Omey],
Galway, March 1842 (Thompson, B. Ireland, i. p. 364).
Near Bellingham, Northumberland, August 5, 1870 (E. Charl-
ton, Zool. s.s. p. 2344).
Germany.—Lausitz (Naumann, Vog. Deutschl. v. p. 245).
Woods of the Spree near Libben (Brehm). Levezow, near
Teterow, in Mecklenberg (Schalow, J. f. O. 1876, p. 116).
Russia.—One of the rarest birds in Southern Russia; once
killed in Bessarabia. Probably less rare on the other side of
the Black Sea (Nordmann, in Démid. Voy. Russ. Mérid.
iil, p. 208). Probably visits the Caucasus (Bogdanoff; Scha-
low, J. f. O. 1880, p. 272). Not mentioned in Radde’s
“Ornis Caucasica.’
Asta Minor.—Common in the interior (Danford, Ibis,
1878, p. 7). Smyrna, arriving in the Northern Province of
Asia Minor at the end of March (Kriiper, J. f. O. 1875,
p. 279).
Palestine and Syria.—This Cuckoo returns nearly a month
earlier than its congener. For a few days large flocks of
them may constantly be seen on their passage northwards,
but many remain scattered in the wooded parts of the
country (Tristram, Faun. & Flor. Palestine, p. 90).
Persia.—Sometimes extremely abundant in favourable
places in Southern Persia; in other years, again, I have not
noticed one. During the two summers that I had a col-
lector, I was unable to procure a single specimen, though I
-
Distribution of the Crested Cuckoos. 399
tried hard in several places where I had seen many in former
years. The thick willow and “ sinjit’”’ jungles in the beds
of streams appear to be its favourite resorts. In the summer
of 1864 there were dozens breeding about the Kara-agatch
River, twenty miles west of Shiraz * * * * I first saw them
early in May. The next and the following year, though I
was frequently in the same spot, | saw no Cuckoos, but in
1867 I remarked them again about the Kara-agatch, and also
in the jungly bed of the Polvar, further north; after which I
saw none till with Mr. Blanford, when I shot one out of a
few willow trees near Sarvistan. (Sir O. St. John, in Blan-
ford’s ‘ Kastern Persia,’ p. 120.)
Norta Arricaw—Very common in Morocco; Tangier,
January; Tetuan, March (Drake, Ibis, 1867, p. 425, 1869,
p- 152). Lake Masharalhaddar (Reid, Ibis, 1885, p. 247).
Occurs near Tangier on passage, always in pairs, but not
in any great numbers (Favier; Irby, B. Gibr. p. 69). Found
breeding in Algeria (Salvin, Ibis, 1859, p. 316). Inhabits
all the wooded localities of Algeria (Loche, Explor. Sci.
Algér. Ois. ii. p. 74).
Canary Istanps.—Occasionally on migration (Bolle, J. f.
O. 1854, p. 461).
ETHIOPIAN REGION.
West-Arrican Suprecion.—Casamance (Payés), Bissao
(Beaudouin ; Hartl. J. f. O. 1861, p. 265). Senegambia
(Mus. Paris; Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 188). Common in
Senegambia, St. Louis, Sorrez, Thionk, Leybar, Babagaye,
Soldé, Matam, Podor, Dagana, Cayor, Country of the Ser-
réres, Ghimbering, Cagnout, Albreda, Gandiole, M’bao
(Rochebr. Faun. Sénég., Ois. p. 102). Fantee (Hinde;
Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 12). Cape Coast (Ussher, Ibis,
1874, p.52). Accra (Shelley & Buckley, Ibis, 1872, p. 286).
Loango Coast (Falkenstein; Reichen. J. f. O. 1877, p. 16).
Asyssintan Susrecion.—Resident in Egypt and Nubia
(Shelley, Birds of Egypt, p.162). Entire Nile valley south-
| wards to the Gazelle River and Djur Country ; also Bogos
Land, the Quola of Abyssinia, Danakil and Somali coasts,
SER. V.—VOL. VI. 2F
400 Mr. G. C. Norman on the Geographical
and a great part of Arabia. In some districts of the Nile
Delta, in Siut, Dendera, Dongola, and especially in the low
lands of the Rek Negro Country (Heuglin, Orn. N.O.-Afr.
ii. p. 786). Goro, Shoa, November; Daimbi, February (Ra-
gazzi; Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Genov. vi. p. 215). Daimbi,
Addagalla (Antinori & Salvadori, op. cit. 1. p. 94). Gondo-
koro (Emin Pasha; Hartlaub, Abhandl. Bremen, viii. p. 210).
Semmio, Nyam Nyam Country (Bohndorff; Sharpe, Journ.
Linn. Soe. xvi. p. 432, 1882).
East-Arrican Susprecion.— Naiwascha, Masai Land
(Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 124). Victoria Nyanza, April
(Fischer; Reichen. J. f. O. 1887, p. 58). Gonda, West
of Lake Tanganyika (Bohm, J. f. O. 1885, pp. 41, 56).
SourH-AFrrican SuBR£ecGION.—Very rare in Cape Colony ;
specimens from Caffraria (Layard, B. 8S. Africa, p. 251).
Windvogelberg (Bulger; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1886, p. 22). King-
williamstown (Trevelyan; Sharpe’s ed. Layard, B.S. Afr. p.
157). Modder River, November (Barratt, Ibis, 1876, p. 200).
Very common in Kroonstad, Orange Free State, “in our sum-
mer, but not seen in winter” (Symonds, Ibis, 1887, p. 829).
Very scarce in the Transvaal (Ayres, Ibis, 1879, p. 298). Not
uncommon in the wet season in Damaraland, and also about
the river Okavango (Andersson, B. Damaraland, p. 225). On-
donga (Andersson; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p.12). Capangombe,
Mossamedes ; Huilla, in Benguela; Humbe, on Cunene River
(Anchieta ; Bocage, Orn. Angola, p. 145).
2. CoccysTES COROMANDUS.
This species does not inhabit the whole of the Indian pen-
insula, but it extends along the Himalayas as far as Kumaon.
It is apparently much more plentiful in Assam, and also
occurs in the neighbourhood of Calcutta, nesting in Tip-
perah. It recurs in Madras, but whether it extends along
the eastern countries of the Indian peninsula I do not know.
The Hume collection contains a specimen from the Nilgiris,
and a long note by Colonel Legge on its occurrence in Ceylon
will be found below. It extends throughout the Burmese
countries, and probably over the whole of Southern China,
Distribution of the Crested Cuckoos. 401
and apparently reaches to the neighbourhood of Pekin. It 1s
found throughout the Malayan peninsula, Sumatra, Java,
Borneo, and even in Northern Celebes.
The following is a list of exact localities, with the authority
in each case :—
Inpian Susrecion.—Kumaon, May (Irby, Ibis, 1861,
p. 230). River Chira and River Thal, Kumaon (Reid, Cat.
Lucknow Mus. p. 40). Nepal Valley, May ; breeds (Scully,
Str. F. 1879, p. 257). Native Sikkim (Mandelli; Hume
Coll.). Sikkim, in the warmer valleys (Jerdon, B. Ind. i.
p- 841). Tipperah (Simpson, Ibis, 1882, p. 87). Breeds in
Tipperah (Hume, Nests & Eggs Ind. B. p. 138). Cachar
(Simpson, Ibis, 1882, p. 87). Sadhya, Assam (J. Cock-
burn; Hume Coll.). Garo Hills (Godwin-Austen, J. A.
S. B. xl. p. 156). Dacca (Hume Coll.). Rare near Cal-
cutta (Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 74). Madras; ob-
tained alive (Jerdon, Madr. Journ. p. 222). ‘ Not seen by me
in South India; does not ascend the hills” (Davison, Str. F.
1878, p. 162). Khotagherry, December (Miss Cockburn ;
Hume Coll.). Trichinopoly (Hume Coll.).
Ceylon.—K andy District (Holdsworth, P. Z. 8.1872, p. 432);
Colombo, February (Hart; Hume Coll.); Ragam Corale,
Western Province, Ceylon, December (Hart ; Hume Coll.).
“Migratory in Ceylon, arriving in October and departing
again in April. Whether or not it leaves the extreme north
of the island altogether, I have been unable to ascertain with
certainty; but there is no question about its being a visitor
to the southern parts of the west coast, for in October
1876, while I was at Colombo, an individual was captured
on a canoe, some miles from the coast, and on which it had
alighted im an exhausted state. When it first arrives it is
not unfrequently seen in the Western Province, and then
disappears from the seaboard, taking up its quarters in the
interior of the low country and ascending the hills to some
altitude. It occurs sometimes in Dumbara, and in March
1877, Mr. Bligh saw an example near his bungalow on the
Catton estate, at an elevation of more than 4000 feet; he
informs me that they are very rare in the Haputale district,
2F2
402 Mr. G. C. Norman on the Geographical
and, indeed, its numbers throughout the island are very
limited. The island of Manaar and the adjoming coast
may perhaps be considered an exception; in the former I
saw a good many in March, and Mr. Simpson says it is
found about Illepekadua and in the interior between that
place and Mahintale. Mr. Holdsworth does not record it
from Aripu. Layard procured it at Ratnapura”’ (Legge, B.
Ceylon, p. 249).
Inpo-Cur1nesr Suprecion.—Karen-Nee (Wardlaw-Ram-
say; Walden, in Blyth’s B. Burmah, p. 81). Common in the
whole of Pegu, except the plains of the south (Oates, B. Brit.
Burmah, ii. p. 117). Rarely met with in Tenasserim ; once
at Meetamyo (Hume & Davison, Str. F. 1878, p.162). Kau-
karyit, June and August (J. Darling; Hume Coll.). Salanga
Islands (Miiller, J. f. O. 1882, p. 406). Malacca (Davison,
Str. F. 1878, p. 162). Penang (Cantor; Horsf. & Moore,
Cat. ii. p.693). Singapore (Charlton; Mus. Brit.). Sumatra
(Schlegel, Mus. P.-B. p. 43). Rare in Sumatra (Biittik.
Notes Leyden Mus. ix. p. 29). Borneo: Labuan (Motley
& Dillwyn, N. H. Labuan, p.55) ; Sarawak (Ussher; Sharpe,
Ibis, 1878, p. 414; Doria & Beccari; Salvad. Ucc. Borneo,
p. 67); Dyak River (Sclater, PZ. S. 1863, p> 209).
Banjermassing, S. Borneo (J. Motley; Sclater, P. Z. S.
1863, p. 209). Celebes (Fischer; Blasius, J. f. O. 1883,
p- 155).
China.—Amoy, May (Swinhoe, Ibis, 1867, p. 227). Ning-
po, May (Swinhoe; Seebohm Coll.). Tientsin (Ince; Mus.
Brit.).
Cochin China and Siam (teste Oates, B. Brit. Burm. ii.
p- 117).
3. CoccysTES JACOBINUS.
The present species has been divided at different times into
several sub-species ; but after a careful comparison of a large
series, I am unable to find any character to separate the
Indian birds from the bulk of the African specimens, and the
name of C. pica should therefore be dropped. It is only
in Gaboon and in South-eastern Africa that recognizable
Distribution of the Crested Cuckoos. 408
races are to be met with. The first of these, C. caroli, is a
long-tailed form of C. jacobinus, with distinct blackish streaks
on the throat, showing an approach to C. cafer. In the
extreme range of the species in South-eastern Africa, the
specimens of Pied Cuckoo are remarkable for a greyish
shade on the throat and breast, which seems to be a constant
character in all specimens from British Caffraria and the
adjacent parts. This race has been called by Cabanis and
Heine C. hypopinarius; but it seems to me that a perfect
gradation takes place between this race and the true C. jaco-
dinus, which also occurs in Natal and the Transvaal, the
majority of the specimens being absolutely indistinguishable
from Indian examples. The geographical distribution of
these two sub-species is given below.
The following is a summary of the measurements of the
wings of the skins in the British Museum. African birds
appear to vary considerably in their dimensions, as will be
seen from the following :—
Wing. Wing.
inches. inches.
a. Dakar, Senegambia .. 58 k,l. Damara Land ...... 57 G1
4. Waliko, Anseba Valley 5°6 m. Lake N’gami........ 5:9
e,d,é. Mombasa........ 54-59 Mm. Pransyaal <i pe. es 6:0
Fig. Tete, Zambesi...... 56-671 Ge UNGER Sc ticnre nts, ttt ate 5:7
ol 8 6:1-6:3
The Indian specimens measure as follows :-—
Wing. Wing.
inches. inches.
PANS pis ve is Caesarea: 57 Eee Allmoraly 5 oye « stereia ccctye 5:9
Oy Mathiawak ica caes 5:7 #. Dehra Dhoon.,...... 57
e,d. Sambhur Lake .... 5°7-5°8 vei ay. Nepal) icv le 5:7-6'9
em PEL DOO) rice » «1914 v:5ys 57 z,a',b'. Futtehghur .... 5:4-5°7
ire) O71 SE a eer 57 Cg Gre OUD cin crehanaae 58-59
PFU NOLO fe es es veo, 8s 61 tf Gia SHUlloMe Ns tty, tee 6:0
Me PeAIPECS S05 ide slaxe: 2 55 H's Miamiipnrins a: sleveieasdere 5:9
EBs ey dy MR ct OBL Te. ae: 6 9,0. 56-58 Bike! Caleuttarvantot ees oct 56-57
Me SHATIBY. 15 coiskay sl 0i9.sps8, a0 57 bo Daceing cs its cad pert 61
BenQ UO RON | ae aise: 0 5-7-5°9 Mes, AUP OL, oes ace tate 56
Pusey WMG AL ty vs oe « « 5'8-5'9 n',o'. Khandeish ...... 5:6-6:0
44 Mr. G. C. Norman on the Geographicat
Wing Wing
inches inches
a, Watheran ” ...<...0<. 56 z', Ramiswaren Island .. 5°8
gq, Belgaum (3. ves. e 58 y',2'. Colombo, Ceylon.. 5-4
Wale MVBOVG Malt. Toten ce 56 a, 8. Tonghoo? ae... 5'7-6:0
St, ee Malabar. ochre: 55-59 50; 6G POpUe oan anton 58-60
Diabiae MaAadvases. ciaciep ere 5:5-5°7 |
From this it would appear impossible to draw any distinc-
tion in size between African and Indian specimens, the former
having the wing 5°4 to 6°3 inches, and the latter 5-4 to 6°1.
Inp1an Suprecion.—? Afghanistan (Griffith). Pind Dadun
Khan and Katas, in Salt Range (W. Theobald; Hume, Nests
& Eggs, p. 137). Sind (Dr. H. Gould; Mus. Brit.). Ar-
rives in Sind the last week of May ; leaves middle of October
(Butler, Str. F. 1877, p. 827). Kurrachee (James; Hume,
Str. F. 1873, p.173). Kathiawar (Lloyd, Ibis, 1873, p. 407).
Sambhur, August & September (Adam; Hume Coll.). Mt.
Aboo, July (Dr. G. King ; Hume Coll.). Gurgaon, Delhi,
September (W. N. Chill; Hume Coll.). Umballa (Seebohm
Coll.). iahore (Marshall; Mus. Brit.). Simla, July (A. O.
Hume). Gilgit, June (Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 50). Naini
Tal, September (Hume Coll.). Almorah, August (Hume
Coll.). Dehra Dhoon; very common (Hume, Nests &
Eggs, p. 137). Agra (Hume, Nests & Eggs, p. 187).
Jhansi, N.W. Provinces, August (Hume Coll.). Etawah
(Hume Coll.). Kumaon (Horsf. & Moore, Cat. 11. p. 694).
Nepal (Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 85). Futteghur, July and
August (Seebohm Coll.). Oudh, January and November
(Hume Coll.). Calcutta, January (Hume Coll.). Faridpur
(Cripps, Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 265). Dacca (Hume Coll.).
Shillong, July (Hume Coll.). Cachar, May (Hume, Str. F.
1877, p. 27). Chota Nagpur (Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 394).
Birbhum, Lohardugga (Ball, op. cit. vii. p. 207). Saugor,
Central Provinces (Hume Coll.). Very common in Central
India during and after rains (Swinhoe & Barnes, Ibis, 1885,
p- 68). Common in the Deccan (Davidson & Wenden, Str.
F. vu. p.79). Dhulia, Khandeish, June and July (Davidson ;
Hume Coll.). Matheran, November (Hume Coll.). Bel-
Distribution of the Crested Cuckoos. 405
gaum, August (E. A. Butler). Ahmednuggur, Mahaba-
leshwur (Fairbank, Str. F. 1876, p. 225). Muddur, Mysore,
May (W. Davison). Rare on the Malabar coast ; common
in the Carnatic ; Nilgiris to 5000 feet (Jerdon, B. of
India, ii. p. 889). Khotagherry (Hume, Nests & Eggs Ind.
B. p. 1387). Common in the Nilgiris, most numerous
about Ootacamund, Coonoor, Khotagherry, &c., occasionally
seen in the Wynaad (Davison, Str. F. x. p. 360). Madras,
April (Davison). Ramiswaren Island, March (Hume Coll.).
Ceylon.—“ Widely distributed over the low country of
Ceylon, but is subject to a partial migration away from the
wet regions on the western and south-western seaboard, during
the prevalence of the S.W. monsoon. Colombo, November
and December. Arrives in Galle district at the same time.
In the scrubby jungles of the Girawa and Magam Pattus
and throughout the Eastern Province, in the jungles between
the Mahawelliganga and the coast, in the maritime portions
of the north and west, as far south as Chilaw, itis a resident
species, and is abundant in some districts. It is partial to
those dry districts which are covered with low scrub, such
as the neighbourhood of Hambantota and many similar spots
on the east coast, the Jaffna peninsula, the north-west coast,
and the island of Manaar, as also the Puttalam and Chilaw
district. Ihave seen it occasionally in the interior of the
northern division of the island, but it is scarcer there than
in the maritime portion. It ranges into the Central Province
to a considerable elevation, occurring in Uva up to 3000 feet ;
but in the western portions (to wit, the valley of Dumbara
and adjacent districts) itis not found at such an altitude ”’
(Legge, Birds of Ceylon, p. 247).
Inpo-Cuinese Susrecion.—Abundant in Upper Pegu
(Jerdon, B. of India, 11. p. 839). From Thayetmyo east to
Pegu Hills, south to Engmah (Oates, B. of Brit. Burmah,
ps 118):
Eraior1an Recion. North-east Africa.—Rarer than C.
cafer, and seems to go a little further north, but not so far
south as that bird, being more a frequenter of steppe-land.
Bogos Land, August; Senaar, September; East Kordofan,
406 Mr. G. C. Norman on the Geographical
October; Khartoum, November; and Province of Berber.
Autub, on the Blue Nile (Antinori). Ambukol, in Nubia
(Ehrenberg; Heuglin, Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 788). Not seen
elsewhere than in the Anseba Valley, and rare there (Blan-
ford, Geol. & Zool. Abyssinia, p. 313). Waliko (Jesse ;
Finsch, Trans. Z. S. vii. p. 286). Shoa: Ambo-karra,
August ; Micurro, May (Antinori) ; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civic.
Genov. (2) i. p. 95). Lado, Equatorial Africa (Emin Pasha ;
Hartlaub, Abhandl. nat. Ver. Bremen, vii. p. 114).
East Africa.—Mombasa (Wakefield; Sharpe, P.Z.S. 18738,
p- 597). Usambara Hills; Dar-es-salaam (Kirk; Shelley,
P. Z. 8. 1881, p. 594). Masai Land, Kipini, Bagamoyo,
Mawini, Pare, Kamboko (Fischer, J. f.O. 1885, p. 124).
Kilima-N’jaro: plentiful (Jackson ; Shelley, Ibis, 1888, p. 292).
South Africa.—Tete, Zambesi River (Kirk; Mus. Brit.).
Bamangwato, December (Jameson; Shelley, Ibis, 1882, p. 246).
Limpopo River, November; Transvaal, November (Buckley,
Ibis, 1874, p. 367). Transvaal (Ayres, Ibis, 1876, p. 432,
1877, p. 342). Natal (Ayres ; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 18).
Common in Damaraland, and also seen at Lake Ngami
(Andersson, B. Damaraland, p. 225). Cunene River, Huilla
and Biballain Benguela, and Gambos in Mossamedes (Bocage,
Orn. Angola, p. 146).
West Africa.—Senegambia: common at Kita, Bakoy, Ba-
fing, Falémé, Bakel, Maina, Boukarié; rarer in the southern
region, Daranka, Sedhiou, and Bathurst (Rochebr. Faun.
Sénég., Ois. p. 103). Dakar (Marche; Mus. Brit.). Lan-
dana, Congo (Petit; Sharpe & Bouvier, Bull. Soc. Zool.
France, iil. p. 74). Kassongo, Upper Congo (4° 30! S. lat.)
(Bohndorff; Reichenow, J. f. O. 1887, p. 308).
Subspecies a. CoccysTEs HYPOPINARIUS.
The following list of localities gives an idea of the range
of this race. Dr. Reichenow also records it (J. f. O. 1877,
p. 16) from the Loango coast, and has, no doubt, compared
the specimen with typical examples in Germany; but I have
never seen a specimen from Western Africa, and the Damara
birds are undoubtedly C. jacobinus.
Distribution of the Crested Cuckoos. 407
South Africa.—Eland’s Post (T. C. Atmore; Sharpe’s ed.
’ Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 158). Weenen, Natal (W. Arnold;
Seebohm Coill.). Natal (Ayres; Mus. Brit.). A pair seen
and a male obtained at Blaauw Kranz River, November (Reid).
Butler noticed it at Newcastle and twice at Colenso in No-
vember (Butler, Feilden, and Reid, Zoologist, 1882, p. 207).
Pretoria (Seebohm Coll.). Transvaal (Ayres; Mus. Brit.).
Rustenberg, Hastern Transvaal (Barratt, Ibis, 1876, p. 200).
Subspecies 6. Coccystes carout, mihi,
The only specimen of this race which I have seen was pre-
sented to the British Museum by the late Mr. Henry Ansell,
who procured it on the River Danger in Gaboon. It is
similar to C. gacobinus, but differs in having the throat dis-
tinctly streaked with black, thereby showing a slight approach
to C. cafer ; but the striping is very much more attenuated
than in that species. The under surface is creamy white, as
is often the case in the young bird of C. jacobinus. The type
specimen, however, is perfectly adult, and has the wing 6°7
inches and the tail 8:9 inches. The latter is of extraordinary
length, as in C. jacobinus it never exceeds 7 inches.
I have attached to this bird the name of my father, Mr.
Charles Loyd Norman, who has always taken great interest
in my ornithological studies.
4, CoccysTES BRAZZ&.
This species was discovered by M. de Brazza at Diele, on
the Congo. I have never seen a specimen, but Dr. Oustalet
describes it as being similar to C. jacobinus, but without any
white alar patch, so that there can be no doubt of its being
perfectly distinct (cf. Oustalet, Le Nat. 1886, iil. p. 299).
5. CoccystEs CAFER.
The distribution of this species in Africa, as shown by the
list of localities given below, appears to extend over the
greater part of the continent, with the exception of the
Gaboon and the Congo regions. It may, however, be ex-
pected to occur in both these districts.
West-African Subregion.—Common in Senegambia(Rochebr.
408 On the Distribution of the Crested Cuckoos. -
Faun. Sénégamb. p. 102). Casamance (teste Verreaux ;
Hartl. Orn. W.-Afr. p. 188). Sierra Leone (Mus. Brit.).
Liberia, St. Paul’s River (Bittik. Notes Leyden Mus. vii.
p. 225). Denkera (Blissett ; Mus. Brit.). Not uncommon
throughout the Gold Coast (Shelley & Buckley, Ibis, 1872,
p. 286). Abrobonko (Ussher, Ibis, 1874, p. 53). Ashanti
(Hartlaub, Orn. W.-Afr. p. 188). Aguapim (2d. loc. cit.).
Plentiful on Cameroons and Wuri Rivers (Reichen. J. f. O.
1875, p.3). Malauge, Angola (Reichen. Mitth. Afr. Gesellsch.
i. p. 2). Semmio, Nyam Nyam Country (Bohndorff ;
Sharpe, Journ. Linn. Soc. xvi. p. 432).
South-African Subregion.—Caconda, Benguela (Bocage,
Orn. Angola, App. p. 542). Heard on the Okavango
River as early as September, but is scarce there; very rare
in Damaraland (Andersson, B. Damaraland, p. 225). Tati,
Matabele Land, October (Sharpe, App. Oates’s Matabele
Land, p. 805). Crocodile River, November (Sharpe, ¢. ¢.
p. 805). Plentiful in woods of Magaliesbergen, Transvaal ;
Rustenberg (Ayres, Ibis, 1884, p. 224). Natal (‘T. Ayres;
Mus. Brit.). Weenen, Natal (W. Arnold; Mus. Brit.).
Kingwilliamstown (Trevelyan; Mus. Brit.). Grahamstown
and Eland’s Post (T. C. Atmore; Sharpe’s ed. Layard,
B. S. Afr. p. 158). Swellendam (Cairncross; Layard, B. S.
Afr. p. 253).
East-African Subregion.—Marangu, west of Lake Tan-
ganyika (BGhm). Usambara Hills and Dar-es-salaam (Kirk ;
Shelley, P. Z. 8. 1881, p. 594).
Abyssinian Subregion.—Commoner than C. jacobinus in
North-east Africa. Extends along the Nile as far as Dongola, .
is not rare in Taka, on the Abyssinian coast-land ; it occurs
even in the warmer districts of Abyssinia, thence through
Senaar, and in the whole district of the White Nile (Heugl.
Orn. N.O.-Afr. i. pt. 1. p. 790). Fazogloa (Mus. Brit.).
Anseba Valley, November and July; Kassala, August (An-
tinori & Salvadori, Viagg. Bogos, p. 49). Upper Lebka
and Anseba Valley, July (Blanford, Geol. & Zool. Abys-
sinia, p. 312). Gabena-weldt gonfallon; Maragaz; Waliko
(W. Jesse; Finsch, Trans. Z. S. vii. p. 285). Shoa, Mahal-
Notes on some Oriental Birds. 409
uonz, Let-Marefia, Anié, Kaffague (Antinori; Salvad. Ann.
Mus. Civ. Gen. (2) i. p. 79). Sciotalit (Ragazzi; Salvad.
op. cit. vi. p. 215). Gondokoro (Emin Pasha; Hartl. Abhandl.
Bremen, viii. p. 210).
6. CoccysTES SERRATUS.
Limited to Africa, where its distribution appears to be
very restricted, being confined to the Cape Colony, whence it
ranges to Natal and the Transvaal. The specimens from the
Gold Coast seem to me to be a little smaller, but are other-
wise not specifically distinct.
West-African Subregion.—? Cape Lopez, Gaboon (Du-
Chaillu ; ef. Cassin, Proc. Philad. Acad. 1856, p. 321).
Denkera, Fantee (Ussher; Sharpe, Ibis, 1872, p. 68).
South-African Subregion.—Nel’s Poort ; common (Layard,
B.S. Afr. p. 252). Rondebosch, Karroo, in December and
January (Victorin ; Grill, Zool. Anteckn. 1859, p. 42); Trans-
vaal, October and November (Ayres, Ibis, 1878, p. 408,
1885, p. 344). Grahamstown (T. C. Atmore; Sharpe, Cat.
Afr. B. p. 13). Natal (Ayres; Gurney, Ibis, 1859, p. 246).
7. CoccysTES ALBONOTATUS.
This appears to be the Hast-African representative of C.
serratus, from which it differs in being larger and in having
the tail-feathers tipped with white. So far as is known, it is
confined to the Zanzibar district and the adjoining countries.
Usambara Hills (Shelley, P. Z.S. 1881, p. 594) ; Mombasa
(Gurney, Ibis, 1882, p. 73; Cab. J.f. O. 1878, p. 237); Lamu
(Fischer, J. f. O. 1885, p. 124).
X LI.—WNotes on some Oriental Birds.
By Jonn Wuiteneap.
1, EKupyNAMIS ORIENTALIS.
In Dr. Jerdon’s ‘ Birds of India’ (vol. i. p. 343) he says
of the Indian bird £. orientalis :—“The young female has
white spots and marks much tinged with rufous, and the
young male has a good deal of white in his plumage.” Also
that it extends to “ part of Malayana and the Philippines.”
410 Mr. John Whitehead on
If so, the Philippine and Palawan species must be very
different. The ‘ Phow,” as the Sulus call this bird, from its
loud call “ phow,” was plentiful in Palawan when I landed
in the middle of June, and might be heard many times in the
day, uttering its loud call, especially when a gun was fired or
a large branch fell. This habit I have observed in the
Argus Pheasant, both birds seeming to delight in hearing a
great noise, as though it afforded them pleasure.
The Palawan Cuckoo passes all day in the tops of the high
jungle-trees (often quite out of shot), seldom going amongst
the outside branches, but preferring to hop about well under
shelter from sun and Hawks. Towards evening, however,
the male frequents more open spots on the borders of the
forest, settling on low trees, where he remains until almost
dark, uttering loud cries. This bird is very tenacious of
life and requires a severe wound to bring it down. I never
heard or shot an adult bird after the middle of August,
when it no doubt migrates to Borneo and other islands, fas
most of the birds in Labuan are seen after September during
the N.E. monsoon.
The most interesting fact in the history of the ‘‘ Phow ” is
the peculiar plumage of the young bird. The young of both
sexes are black, like the adult male. The only signs of the
female plumage in one young female were on the secondaries,
which, on the inside of the wing, were slightly barred with
brown. Another young female had two or three brown
feathers on the back, the wings being dull black. Why
should the young birds not follow the general rule and have
the plumage of the female? I do not know of another case,
where the sexes vary in plumage, that the young take the
plumage of the male*. Why should the young birds not
follow the general rule and take the plumage of the female, or
have a plumage distinct from that of both parents? The answer
to this riddle appears to be that the “ Phow ” lays its eggs
in the nest of the Yellow-mottled Mynah (Gracula javanensis).
The young Cuckoo, being black, does not differ from the
young Mynah, and so the deception is carried on until the
* [There is another case known in Yadorna variegata. Cf. Sclater,
P. Z, 8. 1866, p. 149.—Epp. |
some Oriental Birds. 411
young bird can take care of itself. If the young followed
the general rule, and resembled their mother in being of a
brown colour, the Mynahs might not feed them. The Mynah
breeds in holes of old rotten trees, sometimes using Wood-
peckers’ holes, making it more difficult to see the intruder
in the dark ; and no doubt, when the young bird emerges
into daylight, it would startle the old birds to see the young
Cuckoo of any other colour.
One of the young Cuckoos was shot whilst being fed by
the foster-parents, and no doubt the young Cuckoo gets rid
of the nestling Mynah at an early period. Of course it
might be argued that it would not. be necessary to deceive
the Mynah, for other birds take care of their parasites ; but
perhaps the Mynah has a greater knowledge of the world.
2. MEGAPODIUS CUMINGI.
On most of the small islands round the coast of Borneo
this Megapode, of which the native name is ‘ Menambun,’ is
very plentiful. It never seems to care about going many
hundred yards inland, but prefers the loose sandy soil close
to the sea, where it can scratch up those huge mounds which
so often attract one’s attention when walking near the sea-
coast.
Whilst in Palawan I had a good opportunity of watching
these birds, for they are very plentiful, and June to August
are their nesting-months. The old birds are difficult to see,
owing to their dull brown colour. They are very shy and
generally run off long before you are near them. Their note
is a most doleful “ Mow,” exactly like a cat in distress, and
is heard many times towards evening, adding to the melan-
choly of the forest.
Their nest is a most wonderful structure, and is no doubt
built by the labour of several pairs of birds. A Sulu boy
caught seven or eight birds on one heap. The largest nest I
have seen was 34 paces round and 5} feet high, and the heap
must have contained many cartloads of earth, sticks, and
stones, and yet the ground round about was apparently
untouched. How such a heap is brought together is a
mystery ; but it is no doubt the gradual work of many birds
4.12 Notes on some Oriental Birds.
for several years ; for the birds, if not molested, use the same
heap many seasons. The eggs are often buried so deep that
with our small implements (a cocoa-nut shell) we found it
impossible to getatthem. Theeggs are often placed amongst
the roots of a tree, and this makes them very difficult to get at.
A good many green leaves are plucked and placed in the
hole, and amongst these the egg is laid. The leaves would
ferment and so assist in hatching the eggs, which are of a
pale salmon-colour with a chalky surface, which is easily
chipped off. The Ousuns make regular egging-expeditions,
and often brought the eggs to me, to be exchanged for two or
three smokes of tobacco.
The young bird’s early life is to me a mystery. It may
be dug out of the heap fully fledged and ready to fly. I sent
one home with my collection which might pass for an adult
bird of another species ; but this bird had never seen the
daylight until we dug it out; none of the feathers had soft
shafts or seemed in any way new. The young are neither
fed nor looked after by their parents, which, as they are of all
ages, would be difficult. They generally squat until you are
within 15 yards or so and then take wing like a Quail,
never running out of danger like the old birds.
8. PLotus MELANOGASTER.
The Indian Snake-bird, or Darter, of which the native
name is Baisan (to dive)-Buaia (crocodile), is fairly common
in the rivers of Borneo, being most frequently met with near
the mouths and let-ways. It often sits motionless on some
dead log, or rests on a low flat-topped tree, after the manner
of Cormorants. As your boat gets too near, it glides off into
the water like a water-rat, often enough vanishing altogether,
as it easily swims with its body below the surface, leaving
only its snake-like head and neck above.
During the breeding-season they collect in numbers, nest-
ing on low trees in some secluded nook. The ‘rookery” I
visited in North Borneo was up a long and narrow creek
amongst hippa palms. This creek widened out a little,
forming a small pond, around which there were several low
On the Habits and Range of Bulwer’s Pheasant. 413
trees about 30 feet high. On these trees were placed the
nests in numbers; on one I counted eighteen, and in all I
think there must have been some fifty nests. At this time
of the year, the beginning of May, only a few birds remained,
and I only found two eggs, upon which the female was still
sitting, but dead and dry as an Egyptian mummy.
The Darters were not the only inhabitants of this secluded
spot, for hundreds of Fruit-Bats were dangling at the ends of
the hippa palms, passing away their day in chattering and
screaming, no doubt discussing their last night’s raid on
some poor native’s garden. These Bats seem to court the
full glare of the sun, keeping up a gentle fluttering motion
with one wing, as though fanning themselves. Every now
and then some dozens would fly off as we approached (making
a loud rattling noise with their wings), seeking out a new
resting-place, when the screaming and ehattering would be
increased, as their companions did not wish to be disturbed.
I noticed as they flew between us and the midday sun that
they kept their mouths open, as if panting for breath.
To return to the Darters, about the middle of November I
sent a native to see if they were nesting. He returned with
some twenty eggs and two nests. The eggs are like those of
a Cormorant, only much smaller; becoming stained during
incubation, after the manner of the Grebe’s. The colour of
the fresh egg is almost white, but becomes gradually brown
during incubation, four and five being found ina nest. Young
birds were also about; so this species is not very strict in its
nesting-season. ‘The nests were composed of small sticks,
making a firm structure, lined with leaves.
XLII.—On the Habits and Range of Bulwer’s Pheasant.
By W. H. Treacuzr.
In compliance with the request of one of the Editors for
some notes on Bulwer’s Pheasant (Lobiophasis bulweri), I
can now give the readers of ‘The Ibis’ the following infor-
mation. I was in Labuan when the first specimen was
414 On the Habits and Range of Bulwer’s Pheasant.
brought in from the coast of Borneo, just opposite that
British Colony, in December 1874. It was taken to Mr.
(now Sir Hugh) Low, who was known to the natives far and
wide as a collector of birds, beasts, butterflies, and fishes.
As Sir Heury Bulwer (then Governer of Labuan, and now
High Commissioner of Cyprus) was just leaving for England,
Mr. Low gave him the skin, which he took home and
presented to the British Museum, where it was named
after him, by Mr. Sharpe, Lodiophasis bulweri. This speci-
men came from the Upper Lawas, a small river in the
Sultanate of Brunei, on the west coast of Borneo, which has
become somewhat famous for its wealth in birds and orchids.
It is strange that though Mr. Low had collectors hunting
for him, probably ever since the foundation of the Colony of
Labuan in 1848, no Bulwer’s Pheasant was ever brought in
till the end of 1874.
The late Mr. H. T. Ussher succeeded Sir Henry Bulwer
as Governor, and after I had been up the Lawas, and made
special communications with the Kadayan and Murut
natives, we had no trouble in procuring skins, though we
found it difficult to keep the birds alive, and I do not think
any living specimen has yet reached home. Most of my
skins are included in the collection of Borneo birds which I
presented to the Oxford University Museum, which was
catalogued by Mr. Sharpe (P. Z. S. 1877, p. 93).
Soon afterwards, I think, we heard that the bird had been
discovered in Dutch Borneo. The native name of this
pheasant is ‘ Karampagi,’ given to it from the curious shape of
the white tail, which resembles that of a knife used by the
natives for cutting the ears of padi (rice). The only other
district in Northern Borneo where I have heard of the
Bulwer’s Pheasant being common is that of the Kimabatangan
river, which flows out on the east coast of British North
Borneo. Mr. G. Hewett, who was for some time the repre-
sentative of the British North Borneo Government in that
district, and resided at Penungah, some 170-200 miles up
the river, has kindly favoured me with the following notes :—
“T am afraid I cannot tell you very much about the Bulwer
On the Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 415
Pheasant. I used to trap a good many up in Penungah, but
I never saw one except those I caught. They were very
plentiful, but they lie very close and seldom or never fly. I
obtained them on steep hill-sides, and have never found one
on any low-lying or flat ground. They are very pugnacious,
and their heads are consequently often raw and scarred,
while they would attack any other birds put in their cages.
Ido not know what they live on, but they thrive well in
captivity on padi, boiled rice, and fruit. They roost in trees,
and climb to their roost instead of flying. The hen bird has
no resemblance to the cock, being more like the female
of our common European Pheasant, though larger; it was
consequently supposed to be a distinct species, and was
described as such by Mr. Sharpe under the name of Lodio-
phasis castanei-caudatus. I never could keep any of the
hens alive, as they refused food and seemed to mope, and
would die in about two days. I am sorry I cannot give
you any better information about them, but I could only
gather such facts as I was able to observe myself.”
The Dyaks say when a Bulwer’s Pheasant flies a flood
is coming.
. XLIII.— An Attempt to Diagnose the Suborders of the Great
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds by the aid of Osteological
Characters alone. By Henry Sresoum.
Many opinions have been expressed, in ‘The Ibis’ and else-
where, as to the new system which must replace the now
discarded Cuvierian classification of birds; and occasionally,
as in Professor Huxley’s celebrated paper on the taxonomic
value of the modifications of certain of the cranial bones,
the reasons upon which the opinions were based have been
given.
I propose in the present paper to record certain facts in
the osteology of the Charadriide and their nearest allies,
which facts possess at least this value—a knowledge of them
enables the student to diagnose the various suborders. These
SER. V.—VOL. VI. 26
416 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
suborders may or may not be natural groups, expressing the
mutual relationship of the birds contained in them ; but we
have every reason to believe that they are approximately so.
There can be little doubt that the osteological characters
of birds are a much safer guide to their natural affinities
than the external characters which are to be discovered by
an examination of the bill and the feet, or the wings and the
tail, and which consequently are founded more upon modi-
fications of skin than modifications of bone. Other depart-
ments of anatomy may be more important than osteology, but
next to the skin and feathers the skeleton is the easiest to
obtain; so much so, indeed, that of a great many species
of birds the osteology is the only part of the anatomy of
which anything is known.
Articulation of the Dorsal Vertebre.
It has recently been shown (Parker, Proc. Roy. Soc. xlin.
p- 470) that other birds besides the Penguins and Auks are
opisthoccelous (or post-concave) in the articulation of their
dorsal vertebree. We are assured that the Limicole, Gavie,
Phalacrocorax, Plotus, Steatornis, and the Psittacidz are
opisthoccelous, and that it is the more common kind of
articulation in Archaic reptiles. It would, however, be a
mistake to assume that the Impennes and the Gavio-Limicole,
because they have opisthoccelous dorsal vertebre, are more
nearly related to each other than the latter are to some of
the groups which have heteroccelous (or saddle-shaped) dorsal
vertebree. The fact is, that every intermediate form between
one and the other occurs in the Gavio-Limicole—so much so,
indeed, that the dorsal vertebree of Numenius arquata, for
example, more nearly resemble in their articulation the
dorsal vertebree of the Gallinz than those of the Impennes.
The last free vertebra of Spheniscus demersus is anteriorly
convex and posteriorly concave, both in its lateral and verti-
cal sections. That of Argus giganteus is the same in its
vertical section, but exactly the opposite in its lateral section.
That of Numenius arquata agrees with both in having the
posterior outline of the vertical section concave, is terme-
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 417
diate between the two in having the posterior outline of the
lateral section straight, and differs from both in having the
anterior outline of the vertical section straight, whilst in the
anterior outline of the lateral section it agrees with the
Pheasant and not with the Penguin. In order to make the
term opisthoccelous cover the articulation of the dorsal ver-
tebree of the Impennes and the Gavio-Limicole, and exclude
that of the other suborders, it must be artificially defined as
follows :—Opisthoceelous vertebre are, posteriorly, either
straight or concave (not convex) when seen in lateral section.
As thus understood (its taxonomic importance reduced to a
minimum), opisthoceelism becomes a useful character for
diagnostic purposes. Two facts in connexion with this cha-
racter are important: typically heteroccelous dorsal vertebra
may or may not be ankylosed together, and may or may
not have deep lateral depressions ; opisthoccelous dorsal
vertebre are never ankylosed together, and always have deep
lateral depressions.
Ankylosis of the Dorsal Vertebre.
The sacrum is composed of ankylosed vertebra, in front of
which is a free dorsal vertebra. Four completely ankylosed
dorsal vertebre precede this free dorsal vertebra in the Co-
lumbe, the Pterocletes, the Crypturi, the Gallinz, and the
Podicipes; but, as usual, the character breaks down in one
group. In the Gralle, Rhinochetus and Opisthocomus are
typically Galline in this respect ; Psephia and some species
of Grus and Oéis are partially so; whilst in most species
all the vertebrzee in front of the ankylosed sacral vertebre
are free.
Ventral Processes of the Dorsal Vertebre.
In Birds each dorsal vertebra is furnished with three,
and sometimes with four, prominent processes. Above the
neural canal is the neural spine, and on each side of it is a
transverse process (diapophysis) which articulates with the
shoulder (tuberculium) of the rib on each side. Below the
neural canal is the centrum, each end of which articulates
2G 2
418 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
with the adjoining vertebre in the different modes already
described. At the bottom of the centrum, that is to say
opposite the neural spine, a ventral process (the hypapo-
physis) frequently occurs.
The number of rib-bearing vertebre which are unfurnished
with ventral processes vary very much in the group of birds
under consideration. It is greatest in the Rallide and
Gruide (6 to 7) and in Thinocorus (7). In the Laridz and
Charadriide the usual number is 5 (as it is also in the Oti-
did), but in some of the Alcide it is only 2. In the
Cracide it varies from 3 to 4, as it does also in the Turni-
cidee and the Pteroclide. It is smallest in the Galline, the
Impennes, the Crypturi, and the Colymbide, and in most
of the Tubinares (0 to 2). In the last-mentioned suborder
the number is 4 in Oceanites and Diomedea.
Median Processes of the Furculum.
At the junction of the two halves of the furculum (or
merrythought) a median process (the hypocleidium or inter-
clavicle) is frequently developed. In the remarkable bird
Opisthocomus it forms a long bone uniting the furculum with
the sternum. In the Cracide it is much prolonged, and it
is well developed and usually laterally flattened in all the
Galline. In all the other suborders under consideration it
is either very small or absent.
Pneumaticity of the Humerus.
I am inclined to agree, to a certain extent, with Professor
Huxley in his assertion (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1868, p. 296) that
the pneumaticity or otherwise of certain bones of birds is a
character of no systematic value, though the isolated case to
which he refers is not a case in point. Prof. Parker has
since discovered that the statement that the Cracide differ
from the Megapodide in this respect was an error. No
osteological character appears to be constant in every group,
and I do not know that the character in question is much
more erratic than others which are admitted to be of some
taxonomic importance.
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 419
Pneumatic humeri appear to be constant in the Galline,
the Pterocletes, the Columbz, and the Crypturi. The
humerus appears to be always oily in the Colymbe, the
Podicipes, and the Impennes. The Tubinares appear to
have oily humeri, with the exception of the Diomedeide ;
and so have the Gavio-Limicole, with the exception of three
genera, Stercorarius, Rhynchops, and Anous. In the Grallex
the only exceptions that I know of are the Gruide, the
Otididze, Opisthocomus, and possibly Psophia.
Subclavicular Process.
The coracoid articulates not far from one end with the end
of the scapula, and at the end with the side of the clavicle
near its end. The end of the scapula also articulates with
the end of the clavicle, and the end of the clavicle is gene-
rally also articulated with a process which springs from near
the end of the coracoid. This process is called the subclavi-
cular process; it is absent in the Ratite, the Crypturi, and
the Galline.
Bifurcation of the Nasal Bone.
The bifurcation of the nasal bone where it joins the frontal
and becomes separated into two processes, one (the superior
or inner process) coalescing with the nasal process of the prae-
maxillary, and the other (the inferior or outer process) join-
ing the maxillary, varies in different species of birds. In the
Plovers the angle of bifurcation is as acute as possible, and
the apex extends as far as the posterior terminations of the
nasal processes of the preemaxillary between the centres of
the lachrymals. Garrod regarded this character as of great
importance in the classification of birds, and proposed to term
birds possessing it schizorhinal (Garrod, Proc. Zool. Soc.
1873, p. 33). In most birds this angle of the bifurcation of
the nasal is rounded off, and a line drawn across the skull
at a tangent to the two curves falls in front of the lachrymals
and the termination of the nasal processes of the preemaxillary,.
To this character Garrod applied the term holorhinal; but it
is doubtful whether it has the taxonomic #mportance which
4.20 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
he at first supposed it to possess, inasmuch as some birds are
intermediate. The character consists of two parts, one relat-
ing to the length of the nasal aperture, the other to its shape.
Some genera, of which Cursorius and Glareola are examples,
are schizorhinal in respect of the length of the nasal aper-
ture, but holorhinal in respect of its shape. These birds were
regarded by Garrod as schizorhinal.
This character appears to be constant in Columbe, Ptero-
cletes, Crypturi, Gallinze, Podicipes, Colymbi, Tubinares, and
Impennes, but it breaks down in the Gavize and the Gralle.
The typical Gruidze are schizorhinal, but the Rallide are
holorhinal. The typical Gruide have a long narrow sternum
with no xiphoid processes ; but the Rallidz have long external
xiphoid processes, separated by a deep notch from the median
xiphoid process, and considerably prolonged beyondit. The
genus Psophia is Ralline in the bifurcation of the nasals, but
Gruine in the shape of its sternum. It is also Gruine and
not Ralline in the extent to which its dorsal vertebra are
aukylosed ; but it is Ralline, and not Gruine, in having, when
adult, no lateral occipital fontanelles.
Lateral Occipital Fontanelles.
In addition to the foramen magnum many birds have
lateral fontanelles in the occipital bone. It is not known
that these lateral fontanelles serve any special purpose, unless
economy of bone be regarded as such; but in some cases
they are very useful as aids to classification. For ex-
ample, they are present in the Charadriidz and absent in
the Parridz, which otherwise agree in being schizorhinal
and in having basipterygoid processes. They are pre-
sent in the Alcidz and absent in the adult Laridz, which
also agree in being schizorhinal, but are without basiptery-
goid processes.
But, like all other osteological characters, the presence or
absence of lateral occipital fontanelles is a most unsafe guide
to the classification of birds. Although they are normally
present in the Charadriide, they are frequently completely
ossified, in some species (Totanus pugnax, for example) more
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 421
frequently than in others. On the other hand, although
there are no traces of these fontanelles in the Laridee when
adult, they are found in these birds whilst they are in an
embryonic condition, and in some genera (Chionis, for ex-
ample) they do not completely ossify until advanced age.
Basipterygoid Processes.
The presence of basipterygoid processes on the basisphe-
noid which articulate with facets on the pterygoids is a very
archaic character. They are suppressed in the embryos of
many Passerine birds, but are present in all others. In all
Passerine birds, and in half the rernainder, they are absorbed
before the bird becomes adult; but in the other half of the
non-Passerine birds, and in all the Ratitz, they are always
present. They also occur in the lizards and some of the
snakes.
The position of the basipterygoid processes varies con-
siderably in different groups of birds. In all the Ratitz,
and, amongst the Carinatze, in the Crypturi, the basiptery-
goid process springs from the basisphenoid, and not from
its rostrum, and articulates with the pterygoid near the
quadrate. In most other Carinate birds, wherever it has not
been absorbed, it springs from the basisphenoid rostrum ;
and in most of the Charadriidée it articulates with the ptery-
goid near the centre of that bone. In the Galline it is
situate still further from the quadrate—so much so, indeed,
that in many species the facet which articulates with the
pterygoid adjoins the end of the palatine. This character
completely breaks down in the Tubinares, and partially so in
the Gralle, as will hereafter be pointed out when these sub-
orders are discussed.
The Sternum.
Although Dr. Parker says (Trans. Zool. Soc. v. p. 227)
that the sternum is “the worst part for the systematist to
hold by,” we may possibly find that it will help us where
other characters fail.
4.22 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
The great Gallino-Gralline Order of Birds may be divided
into ten suborders, as follows :—
GALLINE.
Crypturi.
Galline.
Pterocletes.
Columbe.
GRALLINE.
Hemipodu.
Gralle.
Tubinares.
Gavio-Limicole.
Colymbo-Podicipes.
Impennes.
These suborders may be distinguished from each other by
the following osteological characters :—
A. Wing-bones rounded ; first digit of manus
distinct ; scapulars narrow ; tarsus long,
with the three metatarsals indistinguish-
able, except at the ends.
a. Posterior processes of the ilia widely
separated, disclosing the broad flat
sacrum,
a‘, Coracoids without subclavicular pro-
cesses.
a’, Bifurcation of nasals schizorhinal. CryprTour:.
6°. Bifurcation of nasals holorhinal.. GaALuLinas.
6‘. Coracoids with subclavicular pro-
cesses.
ec’. Dorsal vertebree heteroccelous.
a, Bifurcation of nasals schizo-
rhinal,
. Basipterygoid processes pre-
sent, but (to exclude Grus
antigone, which occasionally
possesses them) lateral oc-
cipital fontanelles absent.
a, Basal phalanx of hallux as
long as those of other digits. CoLUMB&.
a’
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 423
>>, Hallux absent, or with basal
phalanx shorter than those
of other digits.
a®, Vomer absent ........ PTEROCLETES.
a®, Vomer very broad...... Henmiropit.
b*. Basipterygoid processes absent,
or (to include Grus antigone,
which occasionally possesses
them) lateral occipital font-
amellesipresent 5. a sh csiera ScHIZORHINAL GRALLA.
b°. Bifurcation of nasals holorhinal.
c*, Horny covering of nostrils not
HULU ATS, ee cee oe ere es HoLorRuINnAL GRALLZ.
d‘, Horny covering of nostrils tu-
DUNLAP eared Seah ee TUBINARES.
d?, Posterior ends of the dorsal verte-
bre, as seen in lateral section, not
convex.
ce’. Basipterygoid processes absent.. GAVIm.
d*, Basipterygoid processes present. LIMICcoLé.
b. Posterior processes of the ilia so closely
approximated that a narrow neural
ridge is all that they disclose.
c', None of the dorsal vertebree in front
of the sacrum ankylosed.......... CoLyMBI.
d'. Most of the dorsal vertebree in front
of the sacrum ankylosed.......... PoDICIPES.|
B. Wing-bones flattened ; first digit of manus
fused with the second in the adult; sca-
pular very broad ;- tarsus very short, with
deep grooves between the metatarsals .. IMPENNES.
Crypturt.
The Tinamous may be regarded as the least-changed de-
scendants of the ancestors of the Galline, and, as such, may
be associated with that group in the same Order, in spite of
their dromeognathous palates.
They possess the following characters :—
1. In the bifurcation of their nasals they are schizo-
rhinal.
2. The ankylosed sacral vertebrz are preceded by a free
vertebra, in front of which are four ankylosed dorsal vertebree.
4.24, Mr. H. Seebohm on the
3. The coracoids are not furnished with subclavicular
processes.
4. The vomer is ankylosed with the maxillo-palatines.
5. They possess basipterygoid processes which spring from
the body of the basisphenoid, and articulate with the ptery-
goids as near the quadrate as possible.
6. In the articulation of their dorsal vertebre they are
heteroccelous.
7. They have never more than one dorsal vertebra in front
of the ankylosed sacral vertebr, which is without a ventral
process.
8. The humerus is pneumatic.
The 4th character is diagnostic of the Crypturi, but they
are also easily diagnosed by their combination of the Ist and
ord characters.
The Tinamous divide with the Penguins the honour of
being the oldest family in this order. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th
characters are all struthious. The sternum is, however, in
no respect Ostrich-like. It resembles that of the Phasia-
nide in having a well-developed keel, springing from a very
narrow median xiphoid process, but differs from it in having
the forked and flattened lateral processes represented by a
long slender unforked rounded process on each side.
There can be little doubt that the Crypturi are more nearly
allied to the Gallinz than to any other group of birds.
GALLIN-A.
If the Galline be restricted to the three families Phasia-
nidee, Cracidze, and Megapodidz, their diagnosis becomes
very simple. They all agree in having the following cha-
racters :—
1. In the bifurcation of their nasals they are holorhinal.
2. The ankylosed sacral vertebrze are preceded by a free
vertebra, in front of which are four ankylosed dorsal vertebre.
3. The coracoids are not furnished with subclavicular
processes.
4. The basipterygoid processes are always present, and
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 4.25
articulate with the pterygoids, as near the palatines and as
far from the quadrates as possible.
5. They are heteroccelous in the articulation of their dorsal
vertebree.
6. The median process of the furculum is much developed.
7. The angle of the mandible is produced and recurved.
The 4th character is diagnostic ; and so is the combination
of the Ist and 38rd.
The Gallinzee may almost be diagnosed by their peculiar
sternum. The median xiphoid process is very long and very
narrow; the internal processes are much: shorter, and the
external processes shorter still. The clefts are so deep that
the sternum may be described as all processes.
The Galline appear to be intermediate between the Cryp-
turi and the Pterocletes.
PTEROCLETES.
The Sand Grouse are intermediate between the Columbe
and the Galline. They present the following characters :—
1. In the bifurcation of their nasals they are schizorhinal.
2. The ankylosed sacral vertebrz are preceded by a free
vertebra, above which are four ankylosed vertebre.
3. They possess subclavicular processes.
4. They have no vomer.
5. They possess basipterygoid processes, which spring near
the body of the basisphenoid and articulate with the ptery-
goids as near the quadrate as possible.
6. In the articulation of their dorsal vertebrae they are
heteroccelous.
7. The hallux is either very small and elevated, or absent
altogether.
The Pterocletes may be diagnosed in a variety of ways.
The 4th character is diagnostic ; but as the vomer is very
small in the Columbe, it is safer to combine the 7th with it.
Equally diagnostic is the combination of the 3rd and 5th ;
or that of the Ist, 3rd, 6th, and 7th.
The Sand Grouse agree with the Pigeons in the Ist, 2nd,
3rd, and 6th characters ; and with the Gallinze in the 2nd
426 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
and 6th. They also agree with half the Galline in the 7th
character.
The sternum of the Pterocletes very closely resembles that
of the Columbee ; the external lateral processes are very short,
the outer posterior notches are very deep, and the inner ones
small or completely ossified in the adult.
The Pterocletes further resemble the Columbe in having
the humerus pneumatic, and in having no median process to
the furculum.
CoLUMB2.
The Columbz appear to be so closely connected to the
Galline through the Pterocletes, that it seems impossible to
exclude them from the Order. The Pigeons are probably
more nearly allied to the Sand Grouse than to any other
group of birds, although they are born helpless and naked,
which is not the case with the Sand Grouse or with any
other group of the Order. The Columbz possess the fol-
lowing characters :—
1. They are heteroceelous in the articulation of their dorsal
vertebree.
2. They are schizorhinal in the bifurcation of their nasals.
3. The basal phalanx of the hallux is as long as that of the
middle toes.
4. They are typically Galline in the ankylosis of their
dorsal vertebre.
5. They possess subclavicular processes.
6. They have basipterygoid processes, which articulate
with the pterygoids near the middle of those bones.
They may be diagnosed by their combinations of the 2nd
and 3rd characters.
If we regard the extinct Dodo as belonging to the Columbe,
the 6th character would break down in this group, inasmuch
as there are no basipterygoid processes in the genus Didus.
It would, however, be unfair to include extinct species in any
group, as itis only by the extinction of species that any clas-
sification of groups becomes possible.
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 427
Hemipopi.
The Hemipodes resemble the Quails in their general ap-
pearance to so great an extent that many ornithologists find
a difficulty in overcoming the superstition that they are very
closely allied. A comparison of the osteological characters
with those of the Gallinz shows that the Hemipodii differ
widely from the Gallinze, but resemble closely the Schizo-
rhinal Gralle.
The Hemipodes possess the following characters :—
1. They are heteroccelous in the articulation of their dorsal
vertebre.
2. None of the dorsal vertebre in front of the ankylosed
sacral vertebre are ankylosed.
3. Only two dorsal vertebrae in front of the ankylosed
sacral vertebre are unfurnished with ventral processes.
4, They are schizorhinal.
5. The coracoids are furnished with subclavicular processes.
6. They possess basipterygoid processes which articulate
with the pterygoids nearer the quadrates than the palatines.
7. The humerus is not pneumatic.
8. The vomer is very short, very broad, and truncated in
front.
9. The episternum is not perforated to allow the coracoids
to touch each other at thew bases.
10. The sternum has only one lateral xiphoid process on
each side.
The Hemipodii may be diagnosed in various ways, either
by their combination of the 1st and 8th characters ; or of the
6th and 8th; or of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th. They differ
from the Galline in no less than eight characters, the 2nd,
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th. On the other hand
they only differ from the Gavie and the Gralle in two cha-
racters (from the former in the Ist, from both in the 6th,
and from the latter in the 8th), and it is to these suborders
that the Hemipodes are nearest allied.
GRALLE.
I propose to include in this suborder the Fulicariz and the
428 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
Alectorides of Sclater, which are synonymous with the Gera-
nomorphe of Huxley. I see no reason why Opisthocomus
and Cariama should not also be included in the Gralle. The
former has been regarded as closely allied to the Cracidz,
and the latter to the Serpentariide ; but in each case there
are at least six facts which are opposed to their supposed
affinity, but are consistent with their close relationship to the
Gralle. They appear to be like Mesites, Eurypygus, Rhino-
chetus, and Psophia, the scattered remnants of a once large
and widespread group, from which the Gruide and Rallidz
are also descended.
Opisthocomus differs from the Galline in the following
particulars :— .
1. It has no basipterygoid processes.
2. It has subclavicular processes.
3. The posterior margin of the sternum is not very deeply
cleft.
4. It has very few ventral processes on the dorsal vertebre.
5. The angle of the mandible is not prolonged and recurved.
6. The episternum is not pierced so as to allow the cora-
coids to meet at their bases.
In each of these six characters in which it differs from the
Galline it agrees with the Otidide.
Cariama differs from Serpentarius in the following par-
ticulars :—
. It is schizognathous.
. It has no basipterygoid processes.
. It has subclavicular processes.
. It has no median process to the furculum.
. It has lateral processes to the sternum.
. It has very few ventral processes on the dorsal vertebra.
In each of these six characters in which it differs from
Serpentarius it agrees with the Rallidee.
The following families appear to be sufficiently allied to
be associated together in a suborder, to which the name of
Gralla may be applied :—
Ook WS Ww eH
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 429
Opisthocomide
Large hallux.*
( Mesitide ....
| Eurypygide.
Schizorhinal 4
Gruideé...... “| Lateral occipital fontanelles.
| Rhinochetide teelions narrow sternum, with
no notches.
|
Psophiide.... J
Otidide .... No hallux.
Humerus not
pneumatic. | pallide,
Cariamide.
I have been unable to find any satisfactory characters by
which the Fulicariz may be distinguished from the Alecto-
rides; but they may be somewhat unnaturally divided into
two groups, the Holorhinal Gralle and the Schizorhinal
Gralle. The Rallide (including Heliornis) and the Gruide
(including Aramus) are the typical families of the two sec-
tions ; but if they be regarded as natural sections, the Oti-
didze must be removed from the Alectorides to the Fulicariz,
and the Psophide must be placed in a different suborder
from the Rhinochetide, in spite of the similarity of the
sternum. It is quite possible that these changes may be
right ; but until their propriety be established by other cha-
racters, itis probably safest to regard the Gralle as one sub-
order, which may be more or less artificially divided into two
sections.
The holorhinal Grallz possess the following characters :—
1. They are heteroccelous in the articulation of their dorsal
vertebree.
2. The posterior processes of the ilia are widely separated.
3. The coracoids are furnished with subclavicular processes.
4, They are holorhinal.
* Mesites and Opisthocomus are not only aberrant in having Columbine
feet, but the former has no furculum, and the latter has a very remarkable
sternum, which looks as if the keel had been turned upside down, the
posterior half projecting more than the anterior portion,
430 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
5. The horny covering of the nostrils is not tubular.
6. They have no basipterygoid processes.
The schizorhinal Gralle agree with all these characters
except the 4th.
The Gralle vary exceedingly in the number of ankylosed
vertebree in front of the sacrum, and in the number of dorsal
vertebrae which are furnished with ventral processes. Most
of them have a small hallux, but the Otididz have none, and
the Opisthocomi and Mesitidee have a large one, like the
Columbee and some of the Gallinz (Cracide and Mega-
podidee).
The 6th character is not a very safe one. I have seen ex-
amples of one species of Grus, and of more than one species
of Otis, in which, for some inexplicable reason (if we call it
atavism it looks less like accident), the basipterygoid pro-
cesses have become ossified, instead of being absorbed during
the progress from youth to maturity.
The holorhinal Gralle may be diagnosed by their combi-
nation of the Ist, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th characters. The
schizorhinal Gralla may be diagnosed by the same combi-
nation, after the necessary alteration of the 4th character has
been made.
If osteological characters have the taxonomic value which
they are supposed to possess, the Tubinares appear to be the
nearest allies of the Gralle.
TUBINARES.
The Petrels possess in their tubular nostrils a character
which distinguishes them from all their allies; and although
this feature is confined to the horny covering of the bill, it
simplifies the diagnosis of the group so much, that I have
ventured to include it as one of their osteological characters.
These are as follows :-—
1. The external nostrils are produced into tubes.
2. In the articulation of their dorsal vertebrae they are
heteroccelous.
3. In the bifurcation of their nasals they are holorhinal.
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 431
4. None of the vertebra which precede the ankylosed sacral
vertebree are ankylosed.
5. The coracoids are furnished with subclavicular processes.
6. The pelvis is not laterally compressed.
7. The hallux is either absent or consists of only one
phalanx.
8. They vary in the number of dorsal vertebree which are
unfurnished with ventral processes, the Oceanitide and the
Diomedeide having three, but the Procellariide rarely having
any.
Rather more than half the species possess basypterygoid
processes, but they are absent in the Diomedeide, the Oceani-
tide, and in the genus Procellaria and one or two allied
genera.
The Ist character is absolutely diagnostic. The combi-
nation of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th characters are diagnostic,
except that they do not exclude the Gralle. The addition
to this combination of the 8th character still leaves the
Oceanitide and Diomedeid undistinguished from the Oti-
dide. It is difficult to avoid coming to the conclusion that
the Tubinares are a highly specialized group, nearest related
to the once large, now small, group of the Gralle.
Gavio-LiMIcoL”.
I have been unable to find any osteological characters to
separate the Gulls from the Plovers, except the presence in
the latter, and the absence in the former, of basipterygoid
processes. As this character is not constant in the Tubi-
nares, and occasionally breaks down in the Grall, it must
be received with caution, or at least be regarded as of secon-
dary importance. The Gavi are connected with the Limi-
cole by a series of intermediate genera: Dromas and Chionis
might be regarded as Gavi, and Glareola, Cursorius, Plu-
vianus, and Cidicnemus as Limicole, whilst Thinocorus might
be regarded as an archaic survivor of the common ancestors
of both; but as basipterygoid processes are unknown in any
of these genera, if this character be taken as the test, they
must all be removed from the Limicolz to the Gavi. It is
SER. V.—VOL. VI. 2H
432 Mr. H. Seebohm on the
possible that it would be as consistent to associate the Stone
Curlews with the Gulls as the Lapwings with the Avocets.
These seven genera further agree with the Laride, and differ
from the Charadriidz, in having no lateral occipital fon-
tanelles when adult. Huxley separates the Limicol (under
the name of the Charadriomorphz) from the Gavie, which
he associates with the Tubinares, the Colymbi, and the Po-
dicipes (under the name of Cecomorphe). Sclater separates
the Limicole, the Gavie, and the Tubinares from each other,
but he removes the Alcidz from the Gaviz and associates
them with the Colymbiand the Podicipes (under the name of
Pygopodes). If the articulation of the dorsal vertebre be an
important character, the Alcidz and the Gavi cannot be
separated far from each other, nor can the former be asso-
ciated with the Colymbi or the Podicipes.
As thus restricted, the Gavio-Limicolz possess the follow-
ing characters :—
1. The posterior ends of the dorsal vertebra, as seen in
lateral section, are not convex.
2. None of the dorsal vertebra above the ankylosed sacral
vertebree are ankylosed.
8. The first digit of the manus is present.
4 The pelvis is not laterally compressed.
5. The coracoid is furnished with subclavicular processes.
The combination of the Ist and 3rd of these characters is
diagnostic of the group.
In the bifurcation of their nasals the Limicole are all
schizorhinal; and of the Gavie the Laridze and Alcidz are
all schizorhinal; but the intermediate genera vary in this
respect. Dromas is typically schizorhinal, Chionis and Gla-
reola are almost so; the angle is blunter in Thinocorus, and
well rounded in Cursorius, whilst Pluvianus and Cidicnemus
are typically holorhinal.
Although this character, founded on the modification of
the bifurcation of the nasals, appears completely to break
down in the Gaviz, its importance in other groups must not
be undervalued.
It is impossible to determine the relative importance of
osteological characters. In the foregoing key I have given
Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds. 433
the articulation of the dorsal vertebre precedence over the
bifurcation of the nasals. It is equally probable that the
reverse is the proper course. If it were carried out the
result would be that the Gruide would be transferred from
the Grallz to the Gavi, whilst the genera Gidicnemus and
Pluvianus would be transferred from the Gavie to the Gralle.
It seems impossible to determine whether the Stone Curlews
ought to be removed from the society of the Coursers, and
from the anomalous position of being holorhinal birds be-
tween the Gulls and the Plovers, both of which are schizo-
rhinal, and be placed under the protection of the Bustards,
where they would be in the anomalous position of being opis-
thocelous birds between the Bustards and the Trumpeters,
both of which are heteroccelous.
CotyMBo-PopIcIPEs.
It is with profound regret that I confess myself unable to
place the Divers in a different suborder from the Grebes.
In spite of the difference in their habits and the contrast
between their eggs, the osteological differences between the
Colymbi and the Podicipes, like those between the Gavi
and the Limicol, appear to be of only secondary importance.
On the other hand, the Alcide, which are associated by many
systematists with the Colymbi and the Podicipes, present
many and important osteological differences. An opinion
based upon osteological characters alone must be regarded
with caution; but osteology appears to teach that the Auks
are archaic Gulls, whilst the Grebes and the Divers are
highly specialized Penguins.
The Colymbi differ from the Podicipes both in the
sternum and in the vertebre. In the Colymbi all the ver-
tebre in front of the ankylosed sacral vertebre are free. In
the Podicipes the ankylosed sacral vertebra are preceded
by only one free vertebra, in front of which are four anky-
losed dorsal vertebre. In the Colymbi the median xiphoid
process of the sternum is prolonged until it projects beyond
the lateral processes, whilst in the Podicipes it is abruptly
2H 2
434 On the Gallino-Gralline Group of Birds.
truncated, so that the lateral processes extend considerably
beyond it.
The Colymbo-Podicipes agree together in the following
characters :—
1. They are heteroccelous in the articulation of their dorsal
vertebre.
2. The posterior processes of the ilia are approximated to
such an extent that the sacrum is almost hidden.
8. The coracoids are furnished with subclavicular processes.
4. They are holorhinal.
5. The hallux is always present, but its basal phalanx is
shorter than that of the other toes.
6. All the dorsal vertebre in front of the ankylosed sacral
vertebrze have ventral processes.
7. The humerus is not pneumatic.
8. They have no basipterygoid processes.
9. The cnemial process of the tibia is remarkably developed.
The 2nd and 9th characters are equally diagnostic of the
Colymbo-Podicipes. They differ from the Alcidz in the
Ist, 2nd, 4th, and 9th characters.
IMPENNES.
The Penguins are regarded by many ornithologists as more
archaic than the Tinamous, but the arrangement of the
bones of the palate is so precisely that of a Bustard ora
Gull, that it is impossible to accept such a conclusion. It is
true that none of the feathers of the wing are differentiated
into quills, and that many of their osteological characters
are diagnostic, but it is not difficult to suggest a cause for
these facts. The quills of the wings of the Apteryx may be
slowly dying out by degradation by disuse, whilst those of the
Penguins may have rapidly disappeared by differentiation by
use for another purpose. It is much more difficult to suggest
the nearest allies of the Penguins :—
1. They are not heteroccelous in the articulation of their
dorsal vertebre*.
* The Penguins are more opisthoccelous than any other group in the
Order. The dorsal vertebrae are not only posteriorly concave, but they
are anteriorly convex, and in both cases the description applies as much
to the vertical as to the lateral section.
On the Genus Rectes. 435
2. None of the dorsal vertebre in front of the sacrum are
ankylosed.
3. The posterior processes of the ilia are widely separated.
4. The coracoids are furnished with subclavicular processes.
5. They are holorhinal.
6. The hallux is always present, but its basal phalanx is
shorter than that of the other toes.
7. All the dorsal vertebre in front of the ankylosed sacral
vertebree have ventral processes.
8. The humerus is not pneumatic.
9. They have no basipterygoid processes.
10. The first digit of the manus is fused with the second
in the adult.
11. The three metatarsal bones of the tarso-metatarsus are
very short, and are separated from each other throughout
their whole length by deep grooves.
12. The bones of the forearm are all flattened.
13. The scapula is very broad, not differing very much in
size from the keel of the sternum.
Not only are the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th characters
each of them diagnostic, but the combination of the Ist,
5th, and 6th is so also.
The Colymbi agree with the Impennes in more of these
characters than any other group does, and may possibly be
their nearest allies.
XLIV.—WNote on the Genus Rectes. By R. Bowpier
SHarpe, F.E.S., F.Z.8., &e.
Dr. A. B. Meyur has kindly lent me a series of skins of
Rectes, from New Guinea, along with the types of some
of his new species. In 1877, when I completed the third
volume of the ‘ Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum,’
I admitted four species of Rectes with a cap, viz. :—
1. R. cirrhocephalus (=juv.), R. dichrous (=ad.).
2. R. uropygialis.
3. R. tibialis.
4. R. aruensis.
436 Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe on
I need not treat of the uniform-headed species, about
which there has been little or no discussion.
Count Salvadori has divided the genus into three sections,
which are almost the same as my divisions, but they depend
upon the relative length of the bill. If characters such as
the comparative length of the bill could always be depended
upon, they would be useful enough; but it is generally
requisite that all the species should be laid on the table side
by side, so that one can judge of what is meant by “ rostro
longiusculo”’ and “ rostro breviusculo.” In the species of
Rectes it so happens that this difference of size of bill in the
sections of the genus is very strongly marked, and they fall
nearly into the three genera given by me in the ‘ Catalogue,’
as Rectes, Pseudorectes, and Melanorectes. Rectes cristatus
I had never seen in 1877, and I wrongly placed it in Rectes,
whereas I find now that it should be placed mm the genus
Pseudorectes, and called Pseudorectes cristatus.
It is principally with regard to the capped species of Rectes
that Count Salvadori and I differ ; for he considers that Rectes
dichrous and R. cirrhocephalus are separate species, whereas
I have united them together. He has also founded a new
species, Lectes decipiens, from North-western New Guinea.
Since that time Dr. Meyer has added two new species to the
genus: R. rubiensis (‘ Ueber neue und ungeniigend bekannte
Vogel, Nester und Eier aus dem Ostindischen Archipel,’
p. 38) and also R. analogus (Zeitschr. ges. Orn. 1. p. 284).
He has lent me specimens of both these birds, and I am there-
fore able to form some idea of what they are like.
One more species has also been named by D’Albertis and
Salvadori, Rectes brunneiceps, from the Fly River.
Dr. Meyer lent me his series of specimens when I wrote the
‘Catalogue,’ and I came to the conclusion that the grey bird
was the young of R. dichrous, and I united the two under the
oldest name of R. cirrhocephalus. This conclusion I arrived at
trom a study of the series brought back by Dr. Meyer himself ;
but since the time that Count Salvadori determined that there
were two distinct species—one with a black head and another
with a grey one—Dr. Meyer has adopted this view also.
As I am unable to prove that the grey-headed birds are the
the Genus Rectes. 437
young of the black-headed ones, I accept the evidence of
Count Salvadori and Dr. Meyer, who have had very large
series at their disposal, although I do not consider the question
to be yet definitely settled.
From the Astrolabe Mountains Mr, C. Hunstein sent two
males and a female of a Rectes. The female is R. brunnei-
ceps of D’Albertis and Salvadori, and the male is undescribed.
It may be diagnosed as follows :—
RECTES MERIDIONALIS, sp. 0.
R. similis R. uropygiali, sed scapularibus dorso concoloribus
nec nigris, et uropygio tantum nigro distinguenda.
Long. tot. 10:0, ale 5:2, caudz 4°3.
These specimens are doubtless the same as the three from
Naiabui referred to R. dichrous by Count Salvadori; but I
shall not be surprised to learn that they are only really the
males of R. brunneiceps. Time alone can prove this.
The true R. dichrous also occurs in South-eastern New
Guinea, quite a series having been obtained by Mr. Forbes
in the Sogeri district of the Astrolabe range. Dr. Meyer
has a pair from Amberbaki, where the female is exactly
similar to the male, and we have in the British Museum a
nestling which is almost exactly like the adults, having a
black head and throat. The female has the wing 4°3 inches,
the male 4:2, and in Forbes’s six specimens the wing varies
from 4°1 to 4°3 inches, The entire absence of black on the
rump and upper tail-coverts distinguishes R. dichrous.
I quite agree that Rectes tibialis of my Catalogue is not
separable from R. uropygialis, as Count Salvadori has already
determined.
Rectes decipiens of Salvadori seems to be a large form of
R. dichrous, with the wing 5 inches ; but Ido not see how the
distinction between this species and R. cirrhocephalus and
R. rubiensis can be maintained, for they seem to run one into
the other. Thus a male collected at Dorey by Mr. Wallace
is exactly similar in the colour of the head to a female from
Rubi, and a male from Rubi is absolutely the same as a male
from Inviorage.
In the same way Rectes analogus of Meyer, from the
Aru Islands, is only the young of R. aruensis. We have
several similar ones in the Museum, from the Aru Islands.
438 Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe on two
XLV.—On two apparently undescribed Species of Sturnus.
By R. Bowpier Suarpez, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &e.
Ir seems somewhat strange that two birds, of which the
British Museum possesses an abundant series, should prove
to be unnamed, but such I believe to be the case. One of
these is the ordinary Starling of India, and the other is the
Indian representative of Sturnus purpurascens of Armenia.
I cannot at the present moment go into the question of the
ranges of these two species, as I am waiting for additional
materials from some important European localities, and I
intend very shortly to publish a paper on the distribution of
the species of Sturnus. I therefore content myself with
giving diagnoses of the two undescribed forms.
STURNUS MENZBIERI, Sp. 0.
S. similis S. vulgari, sed capite et guld tota rubescenti-
purpureis distinguendus. Long. tot. 8°0, culm. 1-15,
alee 5°05, caudee 2°35, tarsi 1°1.
The Museum has this species marked by Mr. Robson as
S. vulgaris from Asia Minor, as well as several specimens
from Persia. It is the Starling of Krasnoyarsk, where Mr.
Seebohm procured it in breeding-plumage. The Museum
also has specimens from Afghanistan, and from all parts of
India from Scinde to Assam, and from Oude to Madras, so
that its range isimmense, It is the species figured by Gould
in the ‘ Birds of Asia’ as Sturnus humiz; but his description
apples to another bird, viz. S. indicus, Hodgs. (S. nitens,
Hume).
The Oriental form of the Common Starling possesses green
scapulars like that species, and has of course green wing-
coverts. In the colours of the flanks it also approaches
S. vulgaris; but it may be separated at a glance by its purple
head and throat, which characters also distinguish it from
S. indicus.
STURNUS PORPHYRONOTUS, Sp. 0.
S. similis S purpurascenti, sed dorso rubescenti-purpureo,
uropygio concolore, distinguendus. Long. tot. 8°0,
culm. 1°15, ale 5:0, caudee 2°45, tarsi 1°15.
apparently undescribed Species of Sturnus. 4.39
Of this well-marked form the Museum possesses a good
series of birds in breeding-plumage from Afghanistan, and
in winter dress from the plains of India. Mr. Seebohm also
has three from Saharunpur. Mr. Dresser has apparently
figured this red-backed form as the adult of S. purpurascens ;
but no Asia Minor skins in the Museum or in Mr. Seebohm’s
collection can be mistaken for the Indian bird.
Srurnus caucasicus, Lorenz, is a perfectly good species,
representing S. poltaratzkit in the Caucasus. It differs,
however, from that species in having a dark green head.
STURNUS POLTARATZKII, Finsch, is, as Mr. Seebohm has
already discovered, Mr. Hume’s Sturnus nobilior, the types of
which the Museum now possesses.
I add a ‘ Key’ to the specics of Sturnus, about which the
only thing that strikes me as remarkable is the necessity for
admitting Stwrnus vulgaris to both sections, as the breeding-
plumage is often intensely purple above, and approaches
that of S. minor artd others of the purple-winged group.
Genus Sturnvus, L.
Clavis Specierum.
a. Pileo dorsoque concoloribus.
a’. Scapularibus viridibus (chalybeo vel sneo niten-
tibus).
a. Tectricibus alarum viridibus vel chalybeo-
viridibus.
a’. Pectore viridi: hypochondriis chalybeis vel
purpurascenti-ceruleis.
a Pileoiouléque witidibus | 2.6). wees be vie « vulgaris, hiem.
b*, Pileo gulaque rubescenti-purpureis ........ menzbiert.
b'". Pectore eeneo- vel cuprescenti-viridi: pileo
WAT Arete Meera Gon aren noe coma eeaes wndicus.
6". Tectricibus alarum violaceis vel purpurascentibus,
haud viridescentibus: pileo gulaque purpuras-
COMPAS eine saat toa aigscg aecieA Dene ae poltaratzki.
e''. Tectricibus alarum lete chalybeis aut chalybeo-
viridibus, extus rubescenti-purpureis: pileo
SwlAdMerVvaGUDUS 0 ff eed da eee ee canes caucasicus,
b'. Scapularibus rubescenti- vel cyanescenti-purpureis,
hand viridescentibus.
44.0 Prof. R. Collett on a
d", Interscapulio dorsoque chalybeo-viridibus: uro-
pygio et supracaudalibus purpurascentibus vix
chalybeo aut chalybeo-viridi nitentibus: ab-
domine purpureo, hypochondriis sneo-purpu-
TOMS g:cie, Gee saa Wehets ealamulere wi aponeteleaisce (olen seceee purpurascens.
e’. Tergo rubescenti-purpureo; uropygio dorso con-
colore, vix chalybeo, sed minime vyiridi lavato.
e'", Tergo vix chalybeo-purpureo lavato: abdomine
- sordide rubescenti-purpureo aut seneo-pure
PUTCORe certains toe aaelere Siete Sere weaKG ceeees porphyronotus.
d'", Tergo rubescenti-purpureo, unicolore.
c*, Corporis lateribus seneo-viridibus: abdo-
mine cuprescenti-Viridi.......cssecsees minor.
d*, Corporis lateribus chalybeis vel chalybeo-
VINIGUDUS” “ote ee aieuieine cies atone Ometee vulgaris, estiv.
&; Pileo dorsogue concoloribus’ . {52 oi. ee eunies or ole sees wnicolor.
XLVI.—On a Breeding-colony of Larus eburneus on Spits-
bergen. By Professor Ropgrt Coxtiett, Zoological Mu-
seum, Christiania.
(Plate XIII.)
In August 1887 Capt. Johannesen, master of one of the
Norwegian Arctic traders, passed Cape Smith, the eastern-
most point of north-eastern Spitsbergen, and one which has
only been reached in summers exceptionally free from ice.
On the small island of Stor-oén, lying about 16 English miles
to the east of Cape Smith, in 80° 9’ N. lat., he discovered
a colony of Larus eburneus, and as it was easily accessible,
and he had not previously succeeded in examining one,
although he had seen several in Tsfjorden and in other parts
of Spitsbergen, he made a short stay at the island in order,
if possible, to obtain eggs and young, which he knew would
of interest.
On the 8th of August, when he visited the island, he found —
young birds in all stages, from newly hatched to fully fledged,
together with a small number of eggs, which, however, were
on the point of hatching, and in all probability not one
would have been left a week later. Captain Johannesen
brought with him to Tromsé6 19 eggs and one nest, together
Breeding-colony of Larus eburneus. 44)
with two old birds and three young in down, which were all
acquired by Herr Foslie, curator of the Tromso Museum, to
which he subsequently presented all except a few eggs.
The nidification of L. eburneus is as yet but imperfectly
known, as, up to the present time perhaps, on only two occa-
sions have authenticated eggs been obtained. On June 18th,
1853, Capt. (now Sir Leopold) M‘Clintock, R.N., found a
pair breeding at Prince Patrick’s Island, one of the Parry
group, south-west of Grinnell Land, in 77° 25’ N. lat., 116°
W. long. (Ibis, 1866, p.217). The nest was near the beach,
and contained one egg, which is preserved in the Dublin
Museum. The nest is described as being chiefly formed of
moss, with a feather or two, and down. In July 1861, at
Murchison Bay, in 80° N. lat., on the west side of north-
eastern Spitsbergen, Professor Malmgren discovered a colony
breeding in a steep perpendicular limestone cliff, from 50
to 150 feet above the sea. On July 30th he obtained from
this colony two of the lowest nests, each of which contained
one egg much incubated, now preserved in the Riks-Museum,
Stockholm. The nests, placed on the ledges of the rocks,
were 6 to 9 inches in depth and composed of dry plants,
grass, moss, &c., and a few feathers. I have considered that
an account of the materials brought-home by Capt. Johan-
nesen would not be without interest, and Herr Foslie, at my
request, has forwarded the chief part of them for exami-
nation, further placing at my service the particulars obtained
from Capt. Johannesen respecting the situation of the breed-
ing-place, &. Iam also indebted to my friend Mr. Land-
mark for assistance in measuring and describing the eggs, and
to Dr. Kiiir for determining the species of mosses of which
the nest consisted. Stor-oén is about 9 English miles in
length and 6 in breadth ; the greater part of its surface is
covered by a glacier, which rises to a height of about 400
feet; the remaining portions consist of sand and gravel, with
here and there small stones, likewise oases covered with
moss ; while in a few places the ground consisted only of
rock.
L. eburneus was breeding on the N.E. side of the island,
t-
44.2 Prof. R. Collett on a
close to, or only a short way above, high-water mark, on
low-lying ground like LZ. canus, L. fuscus, &c., and not in the
cliffs. Capt. Johannesen estimated the number of nests at
from 100 to 150; they were somewhat apart, at distances
varying from two to four yards.
As previously mentioned, on the 8th of August the eggs
had been hatched in most of the nests; only in about a
fourth of them were eggs still to be found. There were one
or two eggs or young but never more in a nest. On being
examined at Tromso it was found that all the 19 eggs con-
tained almost fully developed young chicks. Many of the
nests contained young of various ages, whilst others were
already empty. Several black-spotted young, capable of
flight were seen, likewise several young birds of the previous
year’s brood remained on the breeding-ground.
The nest is composed chiefly of green moss, which forms
about nine tenths of its mass: the rest consists of small
splinters of drift-wood, a few feathers, single stalks and leaves
of alge, with one or two particles of lichen. No trace of
straw is to be found; a couple of pebbles may possibly have
appertained to the under-layer of the nest.. The mosses occur
in pieces the size of a walnut, or less, and have evidently been
plucked in a fresh state from a dry subsoil, either on rocks
or gravelly places. They belong to the following species :—
Ceratodon purpureus, Brid., Webera cruda, Schimp., Cato-
scapium nigritum, Brid., Racomitrium lanuginosum, Brid.
(with short teeth, not cilie, in the margin of the leaves
behind the tip), Hypnum uncinatum, Hed., and var. gra-
cilimum, Bergg., Hypnum turgescens, Schimp., and Ortho-
thecium strictum, Lor. 'The mosses are all sterile. Several
of the splinters of drift-wood were found of a length of about
100 millim. Under the microscope they all proved to be of
conifers, probably Larch, drifted from the Siberian rivers.
Some were very old, others, however, being still hard, and
possessing a fresh appearance. The feathers, of whic 
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